Ernie Johnson, treasurer, Marquette Township

MARQUETTE — Marquette Township will go back to the drawing board for the third time to find a manager.

Township Manager Thomas Markus contacted the board to withdraw his name from consideration for the position on Wednesday.

The township board voted unanimously at a special meeting on Thursday to amend Township Manager Randy Girard’s contract to run no longer than Dec. 31, 2020.

Girard, who has worked for the township for more than 17 years, has agreed to extend his existing contract twice since the manager search began in August 2019.

The board sought candidates and interviewed four initially in November and January. Former township supervisor Dennis Liimatta was selected to fill the position in January, but withdrew his name at the end of February.

Walsh Municipal Services was hired in March to conduct a second manager search. Walsh returned four candidates, of which Markus was one, for board consideration and interviews via the Zoom teleconferencing platform.

No reason for Markus’ withdrawal was provided.

Board members also agreed Thursday, by consensus, to continue working with hiring consultant Frank Walsh, who suggested reposting the position with the Michigan Municipal League with no end date to give candidates an opportunity to apply or reapply. He said he expected the position could be posted again by Tuesday.

Walsh will handle all aspects of the process including contract negotiations, and will report to Supervisor Lyn Durant, board members said.

Township Treasurer Ernie Johnson said he wants to see the process go forward in order to allow Girard to retire.

“I don’t want to kick the can down the road again. I want to move forward. I want to get this resolved in the next three to four months,” Johnson said. “Get our fingers out of it, because all it does is create problems.”

Township Trustee Pete LaRue said he is grateful for Girard’s willingness to extend his contract again.

“I am thankful that Randy is there, and anyone that wants to throw their hat back in the ring, they can do that,” LaRue said.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.