Snellville officials have selected two finalists, one man from Tennessee and another from Florida, to face off for the city manager's position, Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer confirmed Tuesday.

Stephen J. Cottrell, of Dunedin, Fla., and Russell G. Treadway, of Elizabethton, Tenn., will be asked to come to Snellville Thursday for a final round of interviews with the City Council.

Treadway formerly worked as the city manager of Elizabethton, the county seat of Carter County, located in the northeast corner of Tennessee.

Cottrell formerly worked as the city manager of Belleair, Fla., less than three miles southwest of Clearwater.

"They're highly qualified," Oberholtzer said.

The city hired a consultation firm to help with the national search, which netted 57 applicants.

The mayor and board invited the top five to meet with them for in-person interviews last month, but one candidate dropped out beforehand. The council met with the remaining four and agreed that three candidates most impressed them. One of the final three, a manager from Franklin, Tenn., an affluent city 22 miles south of Nashville, withdrew his name, City Clerk Sharon Lowery said.

The mayor and council, who are often split on issues, seem united in their support of both finalists - so far.

"I think they're both real strong candidates," Councilman Robert Jenkins said Tuesday.

Councilwoman Barbara Bender agreed.

"I think either would work," she said.

The mayor did seek advice from the board before narrowing the pool of candidates, but he will decide which person to nominate.

"We've had full and open input from all members of the council, but it's up to me," he said.

Of course, the mayor must convince a majority of the board to confirm his choice. And this is a board that is often split 3-3, Oberholtzer acknowledges.

"It's Snellville. Who knows," the mayor said.

The city has budgeted $125,000 for the position, but the salary might be negotiated depending on the person chosen, Lowery said.

The mayor said he hopes to have a city manager in place before the end of the month.