Council's top choice no longer interested; search for new manager drags on.
The search for a chief administrator goes on for the City of Lake City.
Thomas Thomas, the veteran municipal government manager the Lake City Council selected as its top candidate for its vacant city manager position, withdrew from consideration on Saturday.
Thomas emailed Renee Narloch, the headhunter the city hired to guide its search process, at 2:13 p.m. Saturday, pulling himself out of the negotiations for the position.
“I would like to officially remove myself as a candidate for City Manager of Lake City, FL,” Thomas wrote in the email that also was sent to City Attorney Fred Koberlein, City Clerk Audrey Sikes and Interim City Manager Paul Dyal. “Please thank the Mayor and Council considering me for this opportunity.”
Sikes then forwarded Thomas's message to the council at 2:54 p.m. Saturday.
The council unanimously selected Thomas over fellow finalist Glen Adams following an in-person interview on Jan. 19. It had been negotiating with Thomas through Koberlein since then.
The council had been hoping to finalize negotiations at Monday's regular meeting, requesting that Thomas attend virtually. However, Thomas informed Koberlein that he did not plan to attend, preferring the council continue discussing terms of his contract without him being present, according to an email from Koberlein on Friday.
By Wednesday, Thomas and the council had agreed on a number of items, including his start date, but were still trying to find common ground on his salary: the city last offering $130,000 and Thomas requesting $140,000.
Instead, the city now will continue its search for a full-time manager, something it hasn't had since firing Joe Helfenberger last June.