Jeremy Germann

The search for a new Wells community development director may be coming to an end soon.

The vacancy was created more than two months ago when Zoa Heckman took a similar position with Faribault County.

The City Council conducted interviews Monday night and offered the job to one of the three finalists.

City Administrator Jeremy Germann says each candidate was given about 45 minutes to answer questions in a format open to the public.

“I thought we had an excellent field to pick from. They each brought something different to the table,” says Germann. “The council had a tough decision in front of them.”

Shannon Savick

Mayor Shannon Savick says the city was lucky to get a number of quality applicants and that any of the three finalists is capable of doing the job.

“The person will be very key to Wells’ future, its economic development and planning,” says Savick. “The person we selected is innovative and has new ideas.”

Wells officials took an aggressive approach in trying to fill the position.

When Heckman resigned in May, a four-member steering committee was formed shortly after. It included Germann, a member from the Economic Development Authority, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and Planning-Zoning Commission.

In all, the city received more than 20 applicants.

Germann says the hiring committee trimmed the pool of candidates to six, then three.

He wouldn’t release the names of the finalists or where they were from.

Councilman Mike Weber is a member of the city’s economic development board.

He says the director’s position is important and someone needs to be hired soon.

“In order for the city to grow you need someone who will give you support and be in charge,” says Weber.

To read more of this story, see this week’s Register.