New Decorah City Manager could be hired as soon as Wednesday morning

City of Decorah officials could know as soon as Wednesday morning whether they have a new City Manager.

The city received 75 applications from people who wanted to replace Jerry Freund, who is retiring in September after 18 years in the job.  City council members have begun negotiating an offer to one of the four semifinalists for the position.

On Tuesday night the members of the city's Personnel Committee agreed to meet all the contract demands of the potential new City Manager--with the exception of salary.  The candidate had asked for $85,000 a year, but the Personnel Committee is countering with an offer of $82,396.

Personnel Committee members agreed to meet the candidate's requests involving moving expenses, sick pay and holiday leave and dues and conference memberships.

City council member Randy Schissel said the offer to the leading candidate had "a good salary and good benefits."  City council member John Franzen said he was "very comfortable" with the offer drafted by the Personnel Committee.

Freund planned to contact the city's employment consultant on Tuesday night to relay the terms of the Personnel Committee's offer.  The consultant planned to talk with the candidate on Tuesday night as well.

If the two sides can agree on a contract, the new City Manager will be hired on Wednesday and introduced to the public at next Monday night's Decorah City Council meeting.