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Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM

City Council declines hire of new city manager

City Council declines hire of new city manager

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

After one candidate withdrew from consideration and interviews of the remaining two, the Fernley City Council on Wednesday rejected Mayor Neal McIntyre’s motion to appoint Dawn Collins as the new city manager.

The Council is now back at the beginning of the process to hire a city manager for the third time in less than a year.

Candidate Michael Toombs withdrew from consideration last Monday, and on Wednesday the council interviewed Collins, the Town Administrator/Clerk of the Town of Palmer Lake, Colo. who has also been an administrator in a pair of small cities in Wisconsin, and George Zoukee, a self-employed real estate investor who has served as the Associate Administrator for the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, Director of Finance for Transportation Corridor Agencies in Irvine, Calif. and treasurer of the New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority.

Both candidates were asked a list of 15 questions, four of which were provided to them in advance, and the rest which they were expected to answer in the spur of the moment. Human Resources Director Jackie Moxley explained to the candidates that format allowed the council to judge how well the candidates presented both prepared and unprepared answers.

After the interviews, the council adjourned for a break and a legal briefing. When they returned, McIntyre proposed Collins as his appointment. But the vote to ratify his appointment failed, with council members Fran McKay and Stan Lau in favor, but Albert Torres, Felicity Zoberski and Ryan Hanan opposed.

Now McIntyre and the council must start the recruitment process over again. As part of that, they must also decide whether they s=use the same search process that yielded the 10 applicants they received this time, whether Moxley will lead the search, or whether they will hire a search firm to recruit and vet candidates.


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Comment author: PFB Comment text: Why can't you guys find competent contractors.. For a large municipal facility like the indoor-outdoor Fernley Swimming Pool located at 300 Cottonwood Lane, a complete ground-up commercial build or major structural renovation typically spans 6 to 12 months or longer when factoring in large-scale engineering, public municipal permitting, specialized commercial HVAC/roofing, and health department inspections. The current renovation has been- The Fernley Swimming Pool has been closed for approximately six to seven months since late February 2026 for a major roof replacement and facility renovation. Now you sat October. Soooo 8 months for a new roof. The picture shows no other renovations. Comment publication date: 9/17/26, 7:14 PM Comment source: Electrical problem delays Fernley pool opening Comment author: P Comment text: Relative of the Mayor is to over see this site. Anyone who knows Fernley KNOWS this is more of the who you are related to and know business in this town. VOTE THEM ALL OUT AND THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPLANTS. Comment publication date: 9/16/26, 10:31 PM Comment source: Lift Station Failure Released Untreated Sewage Comment author: Christopher Walsh Comment text: Could you look into the strong recurring smell around Fernley? It smells like sewage and it can be bad enough that people don’t want to be outside or open their windows. It would be helpful to get an investigative journalist help the Fernley residents get a clear answer from the City, NDEP, and any involved facilities. I was really disappointed that the smell was not disclosed by my realtor when I moved here. I enjoy Fernley and am seeing the improvements that are being made. With Appreciation Comment publication date: 9/12/26, 2:49 PM Comment source: Sewage spill near City of Fernley Municipal Well 9 Comment author: Alicia Euresti Comment text: We are all so blessed to have Pastor Matt and Mrs. Regina in this town. They have become a major part of pur family and our children adore them. Thank you both for all you do for qll of us. We love you!!!! Comment publication date: 9/6/26, 9:24 PM Comment source: Fascinating Fernley: Meet Your Neighbors at Living Faith Food Pantry Comment author: R Conley Comment text: Is the deputy receiving any additional training or reinforcing prior training? Comment publication date: 9/5/26, 10:08 AM Comment source: Inmate escapes from Fernley substation Comment author: Kayla Allen Comment text: Suzie was a wonderful woman. I was pleased to call her my "godmother" as she helped me to become a better version of myself. I think about her a lot. Comment publication date: 7/10/26, 8:31 PM Comment source: Susanne Lynn Foster