The search continues for a new manager for the City of Alpena.

A committee tasked with finding the best professional firm to conduct a candidate search met for the first time Friday.

That committee is comprised of representatives from the city, city council, Target Alpena, the local chamber, the Downtown Development Authority and Alpena Community College.

Mayor Matt Waligora said the committee was able to narrow the choices down to the top two firms.  Those companies will be contacted this week and asked to appear before the committee in the near future for an interview.

Waligora did not know how long it might take to make a final choice on which firm will conduct the candidate search.  He told True North Radio that neither of the companies are headquartered in Michigan but both of them have representatives in the state.  He went on to say the more expensive of the two would cost about $19,500.

Former city manager Thad Taylor was fired without cause in mid-April.  Waligora and councilmen Mike Nunneley and David Karschnick are facing a possible recall for their alleged actions prior to and after Taylor’s firing.