CHINA GROVE — A seven-month search to find the town’s first manager is apparently over.
Alderman Vernon Johnson, who heads the search committee, said the Board of Aldermen has reached an informal agreement with an applicant.
The board will meet in public session at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Building to take final action on a contract.
Johnson said the man has accepted the position and is expected to be on the job in China Grove within the next three weeks.
He declined to name the individual or give specific details, opting to wait for the board to take official action Monday evening.
Johnson said the man is currently an assistant county planner. In that capacity, Johnson said he has dealt with several difficult and hot issues, including mobile homes, zoning ordinances and the emergency 911 system.
“He’s dealt with all the hard stuff,” said Johnson, “He knows what he is doing, he’s had his feet to the fire.”
More than a year ago, aldermen agreed to switch to a manager form of government and secured passage of special legislation in the General Assembly.
A referendum on changing to a manager style of government was defeated in the mid-’80s.
Aldermen have said that the manager will take over many of the department’s supervisory roles, which have traditionally been done by aldermen serving on committees.
In recent weeks, aldermen have publicly voiced frustration over their inability to hire someone.
The board has apparently interviewed nearly two dozen candidates.
Negotiations were apparently held with several candidates who were offered the job but turned it down.
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