THOMASVILLE — It appears the appointment of a new Thomasville city manager is near.

City council met for 90 minutes in a closed session Wednesday with Renee’ Narloch, the Tallahassee, Florida, consultant conducting Thomasville’s city manager search.

The search drew more than 30 applicants. The field was narrowed to six during the Wednesday meeting.

Norloch has talked to all applicants, said Council member Jay Flowers. Finalists are male and female with a wide range of ages and “lots of experience and up-and-comers,” he said.

“If any of the six showed up, I think we’d be in good shape,” Flowers added.

Said Council member Todd Mobley, “I think that of the candidates she narrowed it down to, we’ll find an outstanding city manager.”

Council member David Hufstetler said the six finalists “showed excellent qualifications.”

“I’m cautiously optimistic at this point,” Hufstetler said. “I have a very good feeling about our prospects.”

Finalists, he said, have worked in all aspects of city government, from human resources to utilities to public works.

Mobley wants to ensure the new city manager can manage all parts of city government.

Council member Terry Scott’s main priority in a city manager is “to get the city in a good direction.”

“Once we do a one-on-one with them, we’ll decide who’s the best candidate,” Scott said.

A new utilities superintendent will be hired. The council has not decided whether the individual will report to the city manager or to the city council.

“The consultant has talked to the candidates about that,” Mobley said.

Said Flowers, “I want to see someone who is a leader and can be an ambassador for our community.”

Any of the six finalists could lead the city’s 440 employees forward, he added.

Finalists — all from the Southeastern United States — will visit Thomasville and be interviewed by the council in two weeks.

“From that, we’ll ask our top candidates to come back for another round of interviews,” Flowers said.

The top three candidates’ names will be released to the public.

When asked if finalists are aware of the turmoil in city council, Flowers said, “I would hope every candidate applying has become familiar with all the news of our area in local media.”

Council members hope to have a city manager in place in November.

Mayor Greg Hobbs did not respond to requests for comments.

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