County Commissioner Tim Boyd has sent a letter to members of the East Ridge City Council, offering his services as a "management consultant" in leading the city government - in place of hiring a city manager at this time.
He said he would be willing to do so for $8,000 per month.
The council on Monday launched a search for a replacement for Tim Gobble, who resigned under pressure. But council members acknowledged that the pool of candidates is limited by a city charter requirement of having a bachelor's degree in public administration.
Eddie Phillips, the public safety director, is once again serving as interim city manager.
Commissioner Boyd, who was in the audience at Monday's meeting, said an examination of that required degree "shows that it has nothing to do with running a city.
" He said it has more to do with heading a private foundation. "Lyndhurst or Benwood would be looking for someone with that degree," he said.
The longtime East Ridge resident said, "East Ridge's track record of hiring city managers with that degree has been pretty terrible."
He stated, "If that is a point of contention, then it seems to me that the city would be better served hiring a management consultant with business experience."
Commissioner Boyd said he sees "a lot of opportunities out there" for East Ridge under a different style management.
He said he would be willing to serve if a majority of the five council members are interested in proceeding in that direction.
He said he would stay on the County Commission if he got the East Ridge management job.
Mr. Gobble was paid $124,000.