By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
CHINA GROVE ó Aldermen have decided to launch their search for a new town manager in early January.
And the board is also looking at hiring a full-time planner once the manager’s post is filled.
Aldermen met last week for around 90 minutes to discuss how to proceed.
The board met with Ron Niland, president of All American Associates, the Mount Airy company which is providing an interim manager at this time.
Niland agreed to provide assistance to the town in conducting the search.
Mayor Don Bringle said aldermen agreed that the town needs someone with experience, particularly given the growth that is happening.
Bringle said the salary will be negotiable, but speculated it may cost the town more than the $60,000 a year Eric Davis was receiving.
Davis, who left in August, got a hefty salary hike when he went to Mount Holly as city manager.
Aldermen expect to officially start the search process at their Jan. 8 meeting.
Aldermen also discussed the town planner situation after being notified that Lindsay Hobbs will no longer be working for Benchmark after Jan. 1. Hobbs had served as planner for the town through a contract with Benchmark.
Bringle said Benchmark was making some cutbacks and planned to assign another planner to the town.
Davis had pushed for the town to hire its own planner and had included $40,000 in this years’ budget to do so.
“We need to get the manager first,” said Bringle, adding that the board wants to explore hiring a planner.
During the meeting, which focused on hiring a manager, the board also technically hired Bill Pless as interim manager.
Earlier this year, the board signed a contract with All American Associates to provide an interim manager for $5,000 a month.
Due to various state requirements, Pless will be added as a town employee starting Jan. 1. In part, that allows him to sign checks.
His status as interim manager is unchanged, as is the monthly fee.
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Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.