THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Thomasville City Council is meeting in two closed sessions to interview finalists for the city manager position.

The council set an all-day session Tuesday to interview five finalists. Another session is scheduled for Wednesday.

Six finalists were named two weeks ago.

“There are five candidates coming,” said Council member Jay Flowers. “One had a conflict.” 

Flowers said he does not know if the sixth person will be interviewed later.

On Tuesday, the full council was scheduled to interview candidates. On Wednesday, candidates will be interviewed by individual council members.

“I genuinely feel good that we have good, quality candidates and would love to have our three top candidates come back for in-depth interviews,” Flowers said

Full background checks will be done on only the top three finalists, Flowers said. The consulting firm hired to conduct the city manager search has checked candidates’ references.

The city is paying candidates’ travel expenses to come to Thomasville, including lodging and meals.

Kha McDonald, assistant city manger and city human resources head, has served as interim city manager since former city manager/utilities superintendent Steve Sykes retired from city government Dec. 31, 2017.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820