FRANKLIN—The Franklin City Council during its 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, meeting is expected to name a new city manager after first discussing the hiring in a closed-door session, said Councilman Benny Burgess.

“In my opinion there will be a decision made Monday night,” Burgess said. “I think everybody is on the same page.”

Burgess would not name the candidate, however, the Carteret County News-Times in North Carolina reported Friday that Morehead City Manager Randy Martin was the leading candidate for the job in Franklin and would announce his retirement from his current position Tuesday. The News-Times looked into Martin’s possible retirement after receiving a tip from The Tidewater News.

When asked on Tuesday by The Tidewater News about the job, Martin had no comment.

Franklin Mayor Jim Councill also had no comment.

Councilman Barry Cheatham agreed that an announcement is possible Monday.

“There is a possibility an announcement can come on Monday, but I cannot say anymore than that,” Cheatham said Friday. “We are very close to finalizing discussions.”

Current Franklin City Manager June Fleming announced last year she would retire effective Dec. 31 after serving the city for three and a half years. Fleming agreed to stay on through January.

Martin, who is paid $108,000 a year, began his career in municipal government in 1977 and has been Morehead City’s manager since 1995, according to the News-Times. He previously served as city manager for King in Stokes County, N.C., for 11 years. Before that, he served five years as a community planner for the state and in various capacities with Stokes County government for two years.