Hastings progressing in process to pick next city administrator

HASTINGS, NE - The City of Hastings is moving forward in the process to choose a new city administrator.

City Council members each offered their top four choices from a pool of candidates collected by a search firm. The search firm will now contact the four candidates who received the most votes and make sure they want to continue with the application process.

Then, the search firm will perform background checks, call references and investigate the online actions of the four finalists. The city created an interview board consisting of two council members, two utility board members, two planning commissioners and two community members. That board could start interviewing candidates as early as next week.

The city is expected to publish information about the finalists soon.

The new administrator will replace Dave Ptak, who was placed on leave in April and fired in May. Hastings Utility Manager Kevin Johnson is serving as interim administrator.