The Yakima City Council is having a special meeting May 8 at 11am to discuss the contract with Tony O’Rourke to take over the helm of that city.

O’Rourke has said he plans to buy a house in that Washington city — something he never did in his brief tenure in South Lake Tahoe. O’Rourke started his job in Tahoe in August 2010. His contract was for three years.

Tony O'Rourke

Until O’Rourke gives his official notice to the South Lake Tahoe City Council, a formal process cannot be put in place as for who takes over next. However, normal protocol is for the No. 2 person at the city to be interim city manager. That would be Nancy Kerry.

The council will have to decide if it wants to hire a headhunter to look for a permanent city manager. The same person has done so for the last three city manager hirings. Last go-round Bob Murray and Associates came up with nearly 80 applicants, though the council only interviewed two.

An internal candidate can still apply, as was the case last go around when Gene Palazzo, then redevelopment manager, applied to be city manager.

It can cost between $15,000 and $30,000 for a headhunter to come up with a list of candidates.

The city could also post the job opening in various trade publications for a fraction of the cost.

— Kathryn Reed