COUNCIL WILL CONDUCT SEARCH FOR MANAGER

The Cape Girardeau City Council will conduct a nationwide search for a new city manager that could result in as many as 200 applications.

The council is looking to replace J. Ronald Fischer, who plans to retire as city manager by August.

At its retreat Friday, the council said it would serve as the search committee and advertise the job in the city managers' national newsletter.

Earlier in the week, Councilman Richard Eggimann suggested three council members and three citizens be appointed to the committee.

But at Friday's meeting, it was decided council would serve as the search committee.

Eggimann said he dropped the idea of opening the search committee to the general public after talking to business leaders who were opposed to the idea.

Mayor Albert M. Spradling III wants to limit city manager candidates to those who have had experience as city managers in cities with populations of at least 10,000.

Once the applications are received, the council will narrow the field to about five finalists.

Spradling suggested council hold open meetings with the five finalists.

The council would choose the city manager from among the finalists.

Dan Ward, the city's human resources director, will assist the council in the search process. Ward will write the job advertisement and the council will review it within the next few weeks.