Two long time associates of retiring City Manager Sheryl Sculley have been named as finalists to succeed her in the top job as interviews continue at City Hall, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
\Maria Villagomez, the long time City Budget Director and now Assistant City Manager who is credited with holding the city's property tax rate steady despite the city's rapid growth, and Erik Walsh, a 24 year City Hall veteran who now oversees public safety and several other departments as Deputy City Manager, were identified by Mayor Nirenberg as the finalists who will advance to another round of interviews.
Two City Hall insiders identified Walsh as the most likely to succeed Sculley when the process began earlier this month.
“After the first round of interviews, my colleagues and I are impressed with the caliber of applicants who sought consideration for the City Manager position,” Nirenberg said. “We have further narrowed the list and are inviting two candidates for an additional interview. I am pleased with our progress and confident that the process will lead to the selection of a highly qualified and capable City Manager.”
More finalists will be added to the list following interviews today.Sculley announced her retirement in November. Nirenberg has said he hopes to have a successor identified by the end of the month.