SMYRNA - The Smyrna City Council announced Monday night that Eric Taylor is the finalist for the vacant city administrator position. He currently serves as Smyrna's acting city administrator and has been serving as the assistant city administrator for four years.

"I am very excited to be the finalist for this position and I intend to continue the good work for the foreseeable future. Thank you for your confidence in me," Taylor said.

Mayor Pro Tem Wade Lnenicka said the city received nearly 100 applications for the position. In July, the city announced it would conduct a national search for the job after former City Administrator Wayne Wright said he would vacate the position. Wright's last day was Aug. 15.

Ward 7 Councilman Pete Wood said city officials didn't have to look far to find the best man for the job.

"We felt like we had the best candidate in Eric and we're moving forward to work out all the details regarding this change to the city administration office," he said.

The mayor, noting Taylor's service as assistant administrator, added, "We want to thank you for four years of great work with us as our assistant and we look forward to expanding that relationship. I know you're going to do a good job. I know the council thinks very highly of you, respects you and wishes you very well in this endeavor."

Taylor will bring 15 years of combined business development, customer service and government experience to the position. Additionally, he has more than three years of city of Smyrna institutional knowledge, said Jennifer Bennett, the city's director of communications.

Under the direction of the mayor and City Council, the city administrator serves as the administrative head of the city government and manages the day-to-day operations. The city administrator also updates the council on business, makes policy suggestions, manages certain department heads and is charged with presenting a balanced annual budget to the council for approval.

As required by law, the city will hear additional comment and citizen input on Taylor for the next two weeks.

"If we hear nothing in the next two weeks that would change our direction, we would have a final vote on appointing Eric Taylor as the city administrator at the next council meeting on Oct. 5," Lnenicka said.