Not completely satisfied with the seven people it interviewed for the job, the Town of Wrightsville Beach is going to re-advertise for the position of town manager.
Mayor David Cignotti said Tuesday morning the town saw hope in two of the applicants but ultimately wanted to proceed with prudence and leave the door open for other interested persons who might be a better fit.
“The board said all along that we would take our time to find the person that’s right for the town,” Cignotti said.
The new application period will expire Dec. 10.
Wrightsville Beach has been without a town manager since the departure of Bob Simpson last month. Simpson, who served in the role more than seven years, earned an annual salary of about $82,000, officials said.
Asked what the town would like to see in the new recruit, Cignotti said knowledge of coastal issues and budgeting are key. The town manager should also be employee-friendly and skilled in communication, he said. “There’s an array of attributes that we want.”
The position’s advertisement notes a $10 million annual operating budget and a workforce of 85 permanent employees in addition to a “significant” seasonal employee base.
The beach town’s full-time population circles 2,500 but swells to 30,000 in the summer months.
The town prefers candidates have a master’s degree in public administration and a minimum five years experience in municipal management.
Cignotti said he’d like to see a job offer to the best candidate by Jan. 1 and the seat filled around February or March.
Contact Ben Brown at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
