Big Rapids is one step closer to having a new City Manager. The City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday where they interviewed the last of three final candidates for the post, current Assistant City Manager Mark Gifford, who says he really wants the job.

 

“This has been my goal for a long time.”

 

Gifford underwent nearly an hour of questioning by the mayor and city commission members on a broad range of topics ranging from how he would handle being the boss of over people that he's worked with for the past 14 years to neighborhood preservation and redevelopment.

 

Gifford says he is aware of many of the challenges he would be facing, such as budget constraints, an aging infrastructure, economic development, and one that he has recently become aware of.

 

“I don't know if it has been apparent to me in the past as it is now, I'm in the process of trying to sell my house, is the comments that you get about taxes,” he says.

 

But, Gifford remains optimistic about the future of the city.

 

“Big Rapids has a ton to offer and with that come opportunities.”

 

Gifford was the last of three finalists, along with former Grand Blanc City Manager Paul Brake and New Buffalo City Manager Robert Anderson, who were interviewed by the city commission. The three were winnowed from a dozen people who applied for the position.

 

The city commission did not extend an offer to Gifford but will review the three finalists with a decision expected at their next meeting on December 5th.