GRANITE QUARRY — The Granite Quarry Board of Aldermen has identified the person it wants to serve as interim town manager.

This week, the board will contact that person, work out some details and probably announce the choice at its February board meeting next Monday night.

On Monday morning, the aldermen held a 35-minute discussion in closed session about three candidates for the interim job. Those three people were interviewed last week.

Town Manager Phil Conrad is resigning his position effective Feb. 11.

Before going into closed session, the aldermen decided they probably would offer their interim candidate a three-month contract, which could be renewed every additional month as needed.

They also said they will follow the town’s standard practice of doing a background check and following up with references.

In talking about whether compensation should be hourly, weekly or monthly, the aldermen generally agreed they would pay the interim manager an hourly rate as much as $60 an hour — though that might not be the final figure decided on.

As manager, Conrad makes approximately $35 an hour.

Alderman John Linker said the interim manager will be facing two immediate priorities: leading the board through its upcoming retreat in February and getting it through the budget process for the 2019-20 fiscal year.

Linker said the candidate aldermen favor clearly had the advantage “experience-wise” over the other two who were interviewed.

Mayor Bill Feather asked Town Clerk Tanya Word to supply the board with a draft contract for the interim position.

As for starting the process toward filling the town manager’s job permanently, the board tabled action on hiring an outside agency to help in the search. An agenda item suggested setting a maximum cost of $6,000 for enlisting the outside help.

The aldermen expect to take up that question next Monday night.

The Centralina Council of Governments, to which Granite Quarry belongs, has been one of the agencies to offer help.

Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263.