COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson said the search for a new city manager has been narrowed to five finalists.

The position has been vacant since May 27, when former City Manager Isaiah Hugley was fired by city council. Henderson said if everything falls into place, a new city manager could be in place by mid-January.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: City Council votes 7-3 to terminate City Manager Isaiah Hugley seven months before his retirement

The mayor met Thursday with consultants from the Mercer Group, the firm hired to conduct the search.

About 30 people applied for the job, which was then reduced to fewer than 20. On Thursday, Henderson and the consultants narrowed the pool to five.

The city has not released the names of the finalists, but Henderson said interviews could b

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