The search for a new county manager is expected to come to close next week as commissioners anticipate a vote on the matter during their Feb. 4 meeting.

"We have executive session planned for Friday to try to see if we can come together, so hopefully by next week we'll be able to call for a vote," said Dawson County Commission Chairman Mike Berg, who has been serving as county manager in the interim following Cindy Campbell's unexpected resignation in November.

Berg said a vote will not take place until contract negotiations can be reached.

Among the finalists are four men with varying degrees of government management and leadership experience.

The county received 32 applications through the nationwide search campaign, including three from internal candidates.

Those selected as finalists are Randall Dowling, former Barrow County manager; Bruce Georgia, a retired colonel in the U.S. Army and former Dahlonega city manager; Ronald Rabun, former Lee County manager; and Jason Tinsley, former chief executive and administrative officer for the City of Jefferson.

The finalists each gave public presentations during the board's Jan. 14 and defined their qualifications, as well as explained why they believed they are best suited to be Dawson County's chief operating officer.

"The public presentations were all very positive. The people I've talked to, or have received emails from, have all been very positive about the process," Berg said.