News

Laurel Park gets stack of applications for manager's job

By Miranda McFalls, Published: June 17, 2013

LAUREL PARK — A search committee for a new Laurel Park town manager has narrowed the candidate pool but not yet settled on semifinalists.

"So far we've reviewed 27 applications and set aside 10 for further consideration," Councilman Rich Cooke said during a council work session. "We won't have any final decisions for semi-finalists until one week after the application closes" on Friday.
By Monday, Laurel Park had received five more applications for the opening, which has a salary range of $60,000 to $75,000. The town plans to conduct interviews Aug. 12-22 and make an offer to the top candidate on Sept. 3. The new manager is set to start on Nov. 4.
Cooke and Dona Mennella are co-chairing the search for the replacement of Jim Ball, who is retiring in December after 15 years as manager.
The Town Board also discussed the potential impact of state tax overhaul that would
force municipalities to pay sales tax. Local government bodies are currently exempt. The Town Council is expected to adopt the 2013-14 budget Tuesday before the state budget is made final.
"The budget we're looking at adopting Tuesday is going to be amended who knows how much next year," Ball said. "We're going to end up adopting a budget and massaging it all the way through."
Ball also reported to the council that the the first phase of the new Rhododendron Lake Park is 90 to 95 percent complete.
"I've heard wonderful comments on the progress," said Mayor Carey O'Cain. "Even one of the opponents, I ran into her on the side of the road, and she made a comment and said 'I love it.'"
The current year's expenses are running $39,000 to $40,000 under budget.
"We should be able to put a little bit of money back into the fund balance," Ball said. "Next month we'll look at the close out real tight."
The council will hold a public hearing on the 2013-14 budget at 9:30 a.m.