HOPE _ With only one candidate under consideration, the Hope Town Council has temporarily suspended its search for a new town manager.
While a public update on the search was scheduled at Monday’s regular meeting, council President Clyde Compton said during the meeting the matter had been postponed.
But Compton confirmed Tuesday that references and background checks are being conducted on a single candidate who was strongly considered last spring.
It should take about a week for a search committee to determine whether to move forward with that candidate, or resume searching, Compton said.
On May 16, town officials announced that Franklin resident Tom Morton would take the administrative position at a $51,000 annual salary.
The 62-year-old former deputy director of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns was hired as the successor to Melina Fox, who resigned Feb. 5.
But unexpectedly, Morton backed out of the job one day before he was scheduled to begin on June 1 when he informed the council he had found another position he felt was a better fit for him.
While the description of the town manager’s administrative responsibilities is extensive, it basically involves overseeing and managing the town’s day-to-day operations.
