Gary King is Cape Coral City Council’s top choice for city manager
He was selected Thursday night after a 10-hour interview process involving five finalists and a minutes-long debate to select the board’s two top choices from among the field.
King was selected 5-3 with council members Erick Kuehn, Pete Brandt, Bill Deile, Chris Chulakes-Leetz and Mayor John Sullivan voting in favor of King.
Current City Manager Carl Schwing, who is less than four months into a one-year contract, was selected as the No. 2 choice.
“I’m honored,” King said of the appointment. “And I’m enthusiastic about getting started.”
A background check will be performed and King will enter into negotiations for his contract. Based on interview questions, it’s likely his starting salary will be on the lower end of the city manager pay scale, possibly in the $120,000 a year range, or compensation could be incentive based.
Schwing will now likely move back into his assistant city manager position.
Sullivan said he was happy the city manager selection process was complete.
“It would be foolish to throw Carl away,” Sullivan said. “There’s a lot that can be done with Carl.”
Other finalists included Colonel Peter Sands, Charles Oliver and Mark Lauzier.
King said he already has some strategies in mind that would allow him to start quickly.
“I’m ready to start today,” King said.
The other candidates were unavailable for comment after the selection process was completed.