KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) - After the city’s unsuccessful hunt for his replacement, Mike Morgan has agreed to stay on as Kearney city manager.

In a press release Monday morning, Mayor Stan Clouse said, “Kearney has several large projects underway that require experienced leadership and we appreciate Mike’s willingness to continue in his current capacity as City Manager for the foreseeable future.” The press release also stated that Morgan would continue under his current employment contract.

The city has “discontinued” its search for Morgan’s replacement. The press release also referred to the “limited number of applications” for the position.

Morgan announced last July his intention to retire.

Since then the city has been recruiting a replacement. Earlier this month, the city announced two finalists, one from Missouri, the other from California. The Missouri candidate withdrew from consideration after getting a new contract for his current job. The city council interviewed the California candidate, but he was not hired.

On February 17, the city said it was still looking for a new city manager. Monday’s announcement that Morgan is staying on appears to have ended that process.