By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
CHINA GROVE ó Bill Pless, who has served as acting town manager for more than six months, will apparently get the job full time.
Aldermen met in closed session Tuesday evening to interview Pless, one of three finalists for the job. The board interviewed two other finalists last month.
After meeting with Pless, the board met with Ron Niland, president of All American Associates, the company assisting the town in finding a manager.
Mayor Don Bringle said the board reached an agreement and asked Niland to put together a package of salary and benefits that will be offered to the selected candidate.
Bringle declined to say whether the board has selected Pless. However, other town officials confirmed that Pless is the board’s choice for the job.
Bringle said a special meeting will likely be held next week to approve a contract and an announcement will be made at that time.
Pless, of Welcome, was named interim manager in September. He initially worked for All American Associates, which was hired to provide a manager following the resignation of Eric Davis. He left Sept. 12 to become city manager of Mount Holly.
All American received $5,000 per month for the management service.
In December, aldermen changed the contract with All American, making Pless a town employee starting Jan. 1. That was done in part to meet state requirements.
The fee, or salary, remained at $5,000 a month.
Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.