The hiring of a new county manager for Pierce County appears headed for a fresh start.
County Chairman Neal Bennett said last week commissioners will likely start over with the search for a new manager.
“We haven’t made any firm decisions, but I think that is probably where we are headed,” the Chairman said.
Bennett said the county would likely start the application and interviewing process over again from scratch.
Bennett indicated the county might discuss the job opening at their regular meeting for April next Tuesday, but he figures it will likely be May at the earliest before any action is taken on the position.
Commissioners had gone through the advertising and interview process last month and had named Joey Cason as the sole finalist for the job Feb. 13.
Contract negotiations broke down Feb. 16 and both parties agreed to end the discussions.
Commissioners officially rescinded Cason’s designation as a finalist at a called meeting Feb. 21.
A total of nine candidates applied for the position. Commissioners, by law, can name up to three finalists for the position.
There is no time table for when a new county manager will be hired.
Bennett said candidates who applied for the job last time would be welcome to re-apply once the process starts over.
Meanwhile, Bryan Singleton is currently serving as interim manager. Singleton succeeded Chuck Scragg, who resigned earlier this month after moving to metro Atlanta.
Whoever is hired as the new manager will replace former County Manager Jason Rubenbauer who resigned in November, 2022. Rubenbauer left to take a job as director of the Waycross-Ware County Development Authority.
