'It's a very fair offer'

MILTON — The city council is close to finalizing a selection of a new city manager.

At the Aug. 23 meeting, interim city manager Randy Jorgenson said that a final candidate has been selected but no final offer has been made yet. Jorgenson said that the offer was pending questions regarding salary and leave made by the candidate, Glenn Irby, from Apopka, Fla.   

Staff suggested council offer the candidate an annual salary of $110,000, according to Jorgenson. The advertised salary for the position was between $110,000 and $125,000.

Councilman Jeff Snow asked Jorgenson if it would be advisable to have the city attorney negotiate the salary with the candidate. Snow said he wanted to make sure the city won't lose a good candidate.

Councilman Casey Powell and Councilwoman Mary Ellen Johnson said they felt council should stick to making the set offer.

“I feel it’s a very fair offer,” Powell said.

“We should make the offer and if it is not accepted we should just continue the process,” Johnson said.

Council had asked Jorgenson if they could continue the searching process if the candidate did not accept an offer. Jorgenson said that that would be a feasible thing to do if needed.

The council thanked Jorgenson thanked for his work as interim manager in addition to his duties as city planner. Jorgenson has been doing so since council voted to fire previous city manager Brian Watkins in April.

The council is expected to speak with Irby at a council meeting in September.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'It's a very fair offer'