Topeka leaders narrow search for City Manager

TOPEKA (KSNT) - City leaders are closing in on their choice for the next Topeka City Manager.

A spokeswoman with the City of Topeka announced the Governing Body has narrowed the list of City Manager applicants from 42 to 14 semi-finalists. This comes after the Interim City Manager Richard Nienstedt announced earlier this week that the city council reviewed the 42 applications during the executive session.

All 14 semi-finalists are external and not currently employed by the City of Topeka. During the upcoming weeks, the Governing Body will conduct in-depth follow-ups with each of the semi-finalists, according to the city.

The City's goal is to wrap up the follow-up process by late March and make smaller lists of finalists to be interviewed from early to mid-April. Once finalists for the City Manager role are selected, the public and City of Topeka employees will have opportunities to meet the candidates and provide the Governing Body with feedback.

Topeka's previous city manager, Stephen Wade, was terminated in July of last year after serving less than a year in the role. A city spokeswoman said the reason for the termination was an "inappropriate relationship with a subordinate."

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