News

The city of Eureka announced this morning that it has narrowed its city manager search down to six finalists, including two of its current department heads.

According to a press release, the city met in closed session Sept. 24 and reviewed 10 applications for the position being vacated by current City Manager Greg Sparks’ upcoming retirement and whittled the field down to six: St. Helens, Oregon Finance Director Matt Brown, private consultant Tyler de la Plaine, Eureka Public Works Director Brian Gerving, New Brighton, Minnesota City Manager Don Lotter, Eureka Community Services Director Miles Slattery and Putnam County, Georgia County Manager Paul Van Haute.

The six finalists will be in town Friday to meet with the city council and staff and tour Eureka before a community forum at the Wharfinger Building at 5 p.m., when members of the public will have a chance to meet the candidates. Then on Saturday, the finalists will be interviewed by a community panel selected by the mayor and council, which is made up of community members Donna Wright, Heidi Benzonelli-Burden, Shelly Nilsen, Mike Buettner, Sean McLaughlin, Jeff Leonard and Mike Duncan.

Sparks, who was hired by the city in 2014, has announced his intention to retire by the end of the year.

See the full press release from the city here.