Avondale Estates’ five commissioners met individually on April 25 with Alan Reddish, a senior vice president with the Athens-based Mercer Group specializing in executive searches. The city is seeking a permanent replacement for Clai Brown who resigned in February after 10 years as city manager.

Each commissioner met with Reddish for one hour giving the three most important characteristics they’re looking for in a manager.

“[Reddish] will use the interviews to create a first draft of a job description,” Mayor Jonathan Elmore said. “He’ll write the draft, we’ll approve it, then he’ll send it to various [trade] publications.”

The search firm was hired for an estimated $21,000, its contract duration for 120 days commencing with commission approval, which was March 29. The approximate time frame for naming a new manager is 60 to 150 days.

In a strange sequence of events, Brown resigned last Dec. 6, rescinded his resignation Jan. 11 then ultimately agreed to a final separation with the city on Feb. 14. Since then Financial Director Ken Turner has served as interim city manager.

Turner said Friday he’s still uncertain if he’ll apply for the permanent position.