It doesn’t appear the City of Alpena will name a new city manager until early in 2013.

The recall of Mayor Matt Waligora and councilmen Mike Nunneley and David Karschnick has slowed the process a bit.

City council Tuesday night, chose a firm to conduct the management search.  That company will be paid a minimum of approximately $9,000 for its work.  Advertising costs and candidate accommodations could push the total higher.

It typically takes the firm about 11-12 weeks to conduct a manager search.  But due to the recall that timeframe has been extended to about 15 weeks.  The consultant expects to begin the process in October and complete it mid-January, 2013.

In the meantime, interim city manager Greg Sundin has still not announced whether he will throw his hat into the ring.  Sundin, the city’s planning and development director, has indicated however, he will fulfill the interim manager duties through the search process.

The city is looking for a replacement for Thad Taylor who was fired without cause on April 16.  It was that action by Waligora, Nunneley and Karschnick that led to the recall effort.