The unanimous selection to be the next city manager in Whitefish has declined the offer, city officials announced Monday night.
The Whitefish City Council selected Chuck Winn among four finalists and offered him the position of chief administrative officer. According to city officials, after several days of discussion, Winn declined the offer in order to remain in Bozeman, where he serves as the assistant city manager.
Mayor John Muhlfeld and the city council will meet in an executive session on Friday, Sept. 30 at 8 a.m., according to city officials.
The Whitefish City Council, a community interview committee and a staff interview committee conducted in-person interviews with the finalists for the full-time position on Sept. 15. One of the finalists withdrew from the application process and the city extended an invitation to another candidate to interview for the position, Kim Park of Wolcott, New York.
Park joined three other finalists: Winn; Ken Decker; and Edwin Meece.
Winn has worked for the city of Bozeman for 32 years, serving the last eight years as the assistant city manager. Winn spent most of his career as chief of the Bozeman Fire Department, assistant director of public safety, deputy chief/fire marshal, and as a firefighter. He attended Montana State University with an emphasis in sociology and criminal justice.
Chuck Stearns, the city manager for the past eight years, will retire Jan. 6, 2017. He announced his plans to step down in March.