After a monthslong national search, Snellville officials have selected a new city manager — Russell G. Treadway of Elizabethton, Tenn., Mayor Jerry Oberholtzer confirmed Tuesday.

Oberholtzer said he will officially nominate Treadway this morning, during a special City Council meeting. The council is expected to unanimously confirm Treadway, who will be on hand.

The mayor and Mayor Pro Tem Warren Auld, who often find themselves on opposite sides of controversial issues, both said they expect every council member to vote in favor of Treadway, who has more than 25 years in top-level management in local government.

"I like his personality," Oberholtzer said Tuesday after reaching an agreement with Treadway over the contract details, which he did not disclose.

"The staff are very impressed with him," the mayor said. "The feedback I got is that he really listened."

Oberholtzer praised the often divisive council for pulling together to find the best possible city leader.

"His résumé is exceptional, particularly in the areas of finances and economic development," Auld said of Treadway.

Snellville has been without a city manager since February. Auld and two other council members have been upset that the search took so long, leaving them to struggle to balance the 2009 budget this month without an administrator. City leaders plan to raise taxes, a decision that will be finalized Monday, to compensate for a revenue shortfall.

Nearly 60 candidates applied for the job. City Council members interviewed the final four and asked the two most impressive candidates, Treadway and Stephen J. Cottrell of Dunedin, Fla., to return Thursday for a final round of interviews.

Auld, who interviewed Treadway Thursday during lunch, said he is thrilled.

"I believe he is the type of individual who will be a credit to Snellville," Auld said. "He's a very calm individual and comes into this job well aware there is occasional friction on the council."

Curt Alexander, the mayor of Elizabethton, a northeast Tennessee city of about 14,000 where Treadway last served as city manager, said Treadway was unjustly fired last year over an ongoing power struggle with the City Council.

Alexander said Treadway is extremely knowledgeable and has experience leading small and large cities. He likes golf and cycling.

In Elizabethton, Treadway oversaw about 225 employees and a budget of more than $69 million. The city provided water and sewer service to more than 11,000 customers and electricity to more than 24,000.

Snellville has 113 employees and an operating budget of about $11 million and does not provide utility services.

Treadway also served as city administrator in Mauldin, S.C., which had more than 18,400 residents, and Sevierville, Tenn., which grew from 3,000 to 8,500 during his tenure, according to his résumé.

Treadway has a master's of city management from East Tennessee State University and a doctorate in philosophy from the University of Tennessee.