By Leah Justice

leah.justice@tryondailybulletin.com

The Town of Tryon is back to the drawing board in its search for a new town manager.

Tryon Town Council met Tuesday, June 28 and unanimously agreed to re-advertise for the position.

During the town’s first advertisement, Tryon received 35 applications for the town manager position.

The board of commissioners chose seven of those applicants to interview but one took another job, one withdrew and another withdrew because of a sickness in the family, leaving the board with four to interview.

Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples said three of those candidates had viable experience and one the entire board wanted but the money the town was offering wasn’t enough so that candidate withdrew. People said there were a couple with 26-27 years of experience but there was concern the town could hire someone who might retire after just a couple of years.

“We’re trying to make sure we get the right person,” Peoples said this week.

Tryon is looking for someone with a master’s degree in public administration and experience as either a county or town manager with a background in finance.

Tryon is advertising for the position again through Aug. 17. Peoples said this time the town will start reviewing applications as soon as they receive the first five. The last advertising took a lot of time because the town waited until the application process was complete and did not start reviewing applications until all 35 were in.

Tryon has been seeking a new manager since council decided to split the current town manager/fire chief position in February. Joey Davis has held the dual positions permanently since May 2013 but served previously on two occasions as interim town manager while also serving as the fire chief and code enforcer. Davis was hired as the town’s fire chief in 2007. Davis received his certification while being Tryon’s manager as an International City/County Manager Association (ICMA) Credentialed Manager, one of only two in Polk County. Polk manager Marche Pittman also recently became a credentialed manager.

Davis chose to keep the fire chief position when council decided to split the positions.

He will continue to serve in both positions until a new manager is hired.

The salary range for a new manager will depend on the person’s experience.