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ALBANY, GA. -- Friday marks an important milestone in the search for the next City Manager of Albany.

City Commissioner Roger Marietta compared the job of Albany City Manager to steering a battleship. It’s a heavy load that’s always moving and can sometimes seem impossible to steer. "Somebody who’s an excellent financial manager, somebody who’s an excellent people manager that can manage 18 different personalities who are the directors, somebody who can communicate with the public," said Marietta.

Albany City Commissioner Roger Marietta says the job of city manager requires a person of strength and vision. "The city of Albany, when you include Water, Gas, and Light, is a quarter of a billion dollar operation," said Marietta. "Our city budgets total $106 million."

Friday was the deadline for all those interested in the $120,000 plus position to submit their applications. The city of Albany contracted with the firm Beanzinger and Associates to handle the search. At last count, they had received 45 applications but say more are expected. Only a handful will be personally interviewed for the complex assignment that affects all aspects of government and the local economy.

"Having a strong city manager, much like Mr. Lott has been in his tenure here, is definitely key for helping to attract businesses into the Albany area," said downtown manager Aaron Blair.

Commissioner Marietta says he has received some negative feedback about the city paying an outside firm $20,000 to find the next city manager. But he says the position is too vital to the city’s future to leave anything to chance.

"We wanted the very best city manager for this city and you know, anybody can go out and pick somebody and we can work our way through it," said Marietta. "But I do think casting a wide net for the very best applicant is what the people want."

Marietta told us that the city hopes  to have a final candidate sometime in April but that’s obviously subject to change.