Following one withdrawal, three finalists are now scheduled to interview with the Albert Lea City Council next week.

Candidate Brent Clark, former city administrator of Grand Island, Nebraska, withdrew. City Public Information Coordinator Teresa Kauffmann said Clark accepted a position elsewhere. Remaining candidates include Willie Morales, Adam Thompson and David Todd.

Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr. said the intention is to move forward with the three finalists rather than select additional candidates to interview at this time.

“We kind of felt that if they weren’t going to make our top four, why would we try another one?” Rasmussen said.

He said each candidate has their positives as well as areas of concern that he hopes can be properly vetted out during the interview process.

“I’m always excited about this opportunity, and we’ll just have to kind of see how the interviews go,” Rasmussen said.

Finalists for the position will participate in a meet-and-greet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Edgewater Bay Pavilion. The public is invited to attend and meet the candidates.

Interviews will be conducted beginning at 12:30 p.m. July 18 by the City Council, which the public is also invited to attend. Immediately following the interviews, the City Council will deliberate.

City Council members will also conduct small-group interviews with each of the finalists. Furthermore, candidates will interview with city department heads and be given a tour of the community. The entire process will occur over the course of two days. The city will provide for a one-night stay in the community for each of the three candidates.