By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

It’s not exactly a deadline but Interim County Manager Leo Hunt has said Feb. 29 will be his last day.

Working toward that date, at least a few commissioners say in their opinion the board is close to hiring a new manager.

Commissioner Bill Memory said he had “no idea” what the next step in the process would be.

“As far as I know we are still advertising,” Memory said of the county’s top position. “It’s just a matter of finding one the board agrees on. We haven’t stopped looking.

“I’m sure we will discuss it at our next Monday night meeting,” Memory explained.

“We wanted to look at everybody,” Commissioner Amon McKenzie said. “We’ve had some great candidates.”

McKenzie said the board wanted to make sure it was making the best possible choice.

“Two or three of the candidates would really benefit the county,” McKenzie said. “We’re going to look at some a second time.”

Commissioner Ronald Gore said he was pleased with several of the applicants interviewed.

“Not speaking for the rest – I think we have done enough searching,” Gore said. “A couple of candidates I would not hesitate on voting on.”

Gore said the board needed to make a decision “before much longer.”

“I think we are going to do something in the next 30 days,” Gore said, pointing out that was only his opinion.

Commissioner Ricky Bullard agreed with Gore.

“I think it’s time to make a selection out of the candidates,” Bullard said. He said he would like to have a second interview with some of the candidates.

“Money hasn’t been discussed and a time to start hasn’t been discussed,” Bullard said.

No salary range was posted with any of the advertisements. Former County Manager Jim Varner was paid $80,000 plus travel expenses until the board chose not to renew his contract in 2007.

Bullard said he thought the county was willing to pay what would be “in line” for a county manager’s position.

“I just hope we can get the candidate we want for what Columbus County can afford to pay,” Bullard said. “I think it’s time to move on.”

The search has remained confidential and candidate interviews have been held in closed session.

Former CEO of Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Bill Clark, however, confirmed more than a month ago that he was interested in the position and had forwarded a resume to the board.

Clark was one of two candidates interviewed in closed session at the commissioners’ last meeting held in December.

No new applications have been received for the position, according to the Columbus County personnel office.

A total of 19 candidates applied for the position.

Ten have been interviewed and three have withdrawn their name from the search.

Hunt, a retired county finance officer from Robeson County, first came to Columbus County on a temporary basis to serve as interim finance officer in 2006.

After Varner was asked to leave and his contract not renewed, Hunt was named interim county manager. Hunt made it clear he intended to go back into retirement.

Hunt, who is currently on sick leave, said last month the reason for his upcoming resignation was due in part to his health and the effect the position was having on his health.

Commissioners James Prevatte, Lynwood Norris, and Sammie Jacobs did not return by press deadline messages left for them.