Bainbridge Island City Councilwoman Anne Blair briefed the council Wednesday evening on the progress of the ongoing search for a new city manager.

On Feb. 29, requests for proposals went out to 13 executive search firms, two of which have business licenses in Washington State.

The RFPs ask that interested search firms respond by 5 p.m. March 17.

The city council plans to hire a search firm and announce its decision by March 30.

The search for a new city manger has been organized by an

ad hoc committee comprised of Blair, Councilman Steve Bonkowski and Councilman David Ward. The three drafted a plan for the search, which was approved by council on Feb. 15.

At a previous briefing in February, Bonkowski informed the council that the search process could last until July.

On Feb. 8, the council set aside $250,000 from the contingency fund to cover the city manager transition.

The $250,000 includes the costs associated with the search as well as paying the severance for the current City Manager Brenda Bauer which could cost up to $170,000.