Ellsworth Mayor Mark Kennedy describes recent months as a “tough scenario” Kennedy, former Ellsworth City Council president, moved into the mayor’s job following the sudden resignation of Alan Stefek. A short time later, the council voted to terminate the services of city administrator Scott Moore in the face of opposition from a number of citizens.

“But we’re still going to move forward,” Kennedy told the I-R this past week.“Our big task now is to find the next city administrator.”

Kennedy said city officials expect to use a search firm to find candidates that would be a good fit for the position.

He hopes to iron out details at the council’s Jan. 13 meeting.

“I think from the governing body’s standpoint, there’s firms out there that can better identify and better vet candidates than we can,” Kennedy said.

Officials recently released copies of a settlement agreement between the city and Moore.

“It’s the first scenario I’ve been through like this,” Kennedy said.“But I know the city definitely felt it was [in] our best interest, financially, to go ahead and negotiate an agreement outside of what was specifically listed in the contract. So we were better off doing that and working in good faith to make all sides benefit.”

Kennedy said it may take time to find city administrator candidates.

“By the start of spring if we have someone in place I think that would be a good thing,” he said. “I have no idea how long it takes for any candidates to surface, and then the interview process and that type of thing.”

Until a new city administrator is hired, Kennedy said the council will continue to rely on long-time city clerk Patti Booher and department heads to bring issues and items to their attention.

“Essentially, everyone has got to pick up a little bit of the workload there, but I think everyone is up to it and everyone seems to be doing a good job so far.”