By Eileen Persike
Editor

The Rhinelander Common Council’s search for an administrator is entering the final stage. Following a closed session Monday night, the council directed Doreen St. Onge, the city’s human resources employee, to negotiate a contract with the council’s lead candidate and for city attorney Steve Sorenson to vet the contract agreement.

Mayor Christopher Frederickson said the contract should be ready for the council by the March 8 meeting.

“Part of the first interview I had with the candidates was, what are your expectations,” Doreen St. Onge told the council. “I’ve vetted all of the candidates out, I know what they’re looking for and I know what we’re willing to offer so the negotiations from this point on, once you’ve selected who you select should not take that long.”

Sorenson added that if everything goes as he and St. Onge think it will, the negotiations could wrap up sooner, necessitating a special meeting of the council.

The city has been without an administrator since May when the council voted to terminate Daniel Guild’s contract.