Myrtle Beach selects Ga.-based firm to lead search for new city manager | Myrtle Beach Sun News

A Georgia-based company will assist the city of Myrtle Beach as it begins to search for a new city manager.

Slavin Management Consultants, based in Norcross, Ga., was selected from three firms to spearhead the search.

In February, city manager Tom Leath announced his intent to retire when his contract expires in December. He will have served 29 years with the city.

City Council members selected the group during last week’s meeting.

“I felt like the presentation that was made, out of everybody, we felt that [Slavin] was able to communicate in a way that we liked,” Mayor John Rhodes said. “They seemed to understand what we need. ... It just felt comfortable.”

Representatives for Slavin said their contract does not allow them to discuss the search.

The company placed city managers in Newark, Del., Snellville, Ga., and Rock Hill, as well as a city administrator in Georgetown, according to their website.

Rhodes said he expects Slavin to recommend eight or 10 candidates for the city to consider, and they likely would select four or five to interview for the position.

“I’d like to see someone in there by the end of August, so we don’t have to worry about a person with a family pulling their kids out of school,” Rhodes said. “And that would give time for the transition with Tom.”

Leath has said that he will do what he can to help make a smooth transition to the new leader. Myrtle Beach has two assistant city managers, John Pedersen and Ron Andrews.

Myrtle Beach operates as a council-city manager form of government, meaning the city manager is the chief executive officer of the city and is responsible for the day-to-day activities.