Salisbury City Council is extending its search for a new city manager and will seek more applicants, according to city officials.

Mayor Paul Woodson said council members decided to slow down the search. He said they were hoping to make a hire in time for council’s annual retreat in mid-February but have changed their minds.

He said council is not unsatisfied with the current group of candidates, but would like to have more.

Woodson said the city has received around 50 applications for job, but had about 80 applicants during the previous search for a new city manager in 2012.

“It’s so important,” to find the right person, Woodson said.

City Council had narrowed its search down to fewer than 10 candidates who were supposed to be in town late next week for an “assessment center” conducted by a search firm under contract with the city.

Now, it will have to be rescheduled.

Assistant City Manager Zack Kyle, who also heads the city’s human resources department, said a new date for the assessment center hasn’t been set.

Woodson said the candidates in the current group haven’t been eliminated from consideration.

A press release from the city said, “Salisbury City Council has decided to extend the time frame for its search for a new city manager. Working with Developmental Associates from Chapel Hill, Council had initially undertaken a fast track approach in its search. After reviewing the proposed timeline, Council felt it needed additional time to review the process and evaluate its options to make the best possible decision for the city.”

Woodson said last week he had no problem starting the search again if the right person for the job isn’t found.

“What we want is some really good candidates,” Woodson said Thursday.

Contact Reporter David Purtell at 704-797-4264.