BLAINE - The City Council selected a Lynden company to search for a new city manager to replace Gary Tomsic, who will retire at the end of June after 13 years leading Blaine.

Turner HR Services was one of three businesses to submit proposals. It was the low bidder, with a projected cost of $7,000.

Kara Turner will conduct a search and is expected to present three or four candidates to the City Council, Tomsic said.

The city has about 60 employees and an annual budget of roughly $30 million.

Tomsic's tenure in Blaine began February 2000 when he was hired to serve as interim city manager before being selected permanently for the post. He didn't think the council would go the interim route again.

"I'm going to be here until the end of June. I think the timing on this, if we get going here in the next couple of weeks, there's enough time to get through the search and hire someone," Tomsic said.

Reach Kie Relyea at 360-715-2234 or kie.relyea@bellinghamherald.com.