Bridge City council working to find new manager

The Bridge City City Council is working with a consulting firm once again to help in the search for a new city manager to become the city's third manager in two years.

The council was set to meet Tuesday evening and then go into a closed-door executive session to discuss the position, criteria for the selection, and candidates.

Slavin Management Consultants based in Georgia is helping with the search with job applicants applying online or by letter through the company, which then works with the council.

Slavin Management also helped the council with hiring of Christopher Baker, who started work as Bridge City city manager in January. Baker resigned in August after meeting with the council in a closed-door meeting to review his performance after only seven months on the job.

The city manager before Baker had held the position for one year and six days.

The city had been fortunate before then to have Jerry Jones serve in the position for more than 15 years. Jones had previously been the city's public works director.

Mayor David Rutledge is serving as interim city manager until a new person takes over. Other council members are Terri Gauthier, Aaron Roccaforte, Patty Collins, Sherby Dixon, Bryant Champagne, and Gina Mannino.