John Glascock, interim city manager for Columbia, and James "Jim" Palenick, city administrator for Racine, Wisconsin, are the two finalists for a new city manager.
The recruitment process began with 33 candidates, and the Columbia City Council has pared the list since November. On-site interviews are scheduled for July 10-11.
"The City Council promised the residents of Columbia a transparent, nationwide candidate search, and we are pleased with the results," Mayor Brian Treece said in a news release Monday morning.
CPS HR Consulting, hired by the City Council, used an "aggressive" engagement process, using public meetings, online surveys and in-person meetings, the release stated.
Glascock has served as interim city manager since November. He has over 16 years of work experience in Columbia, including chief engineer, director of Public Works and deputy city manager.
Palenick served as a city administrator of Racine, south of Milwaukee, since April 2017, working with a $205 million budget and over 700 employees, according to the release.
Community members will be able to ask questions of Glascock and Palenick at a public reception from 6 to 8 p.m. July 10 at the Daniel Boone Building, 701 E. Broadway.
The previous city manager, Mike Matthes, resigned in November.