BLOOMINGTON - The current finance director of West Jordan, Utah, will likely become Bloomington's next city manager. After a nearly four-month search, the Bloomington City Council has offered the top administrative post to David A. Hales.

The community will have a chance to meet Hales at a reception at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 110 E. Mulberry St.

David A. Hales

The City Council is expected to vote on Hales' contract at its Dec. 8 meeting. If approved, Hales will begin as city manager no later than Jan. 12.

The terms of the contract between Hales and the city have not been released and Hales declined to comment until the council's approval.

In addition to working for the city of West Jordan, Hales, 54, previously served two years as the city manager of Bend, Ore., and four years as the city manager at Kannapolis, N.C.

Hales, who grew up about 20 miles north of Salt Lake City, Utah, said he is looking forward to returning to a city manager position and is excited about Bloomington's potential.

"The city has had a lot of growth and has great potential for future growth," Hales said.

Among the strengths Hales said he brings to the job are financial expertise and a broad economic development background.

Among the economic development projects Hales said he had helped build include a $100 million KraftMaid Cabinetry manufacturing plant in West Jordan and a 200-acre business park at Kannapolis.

"The basics of economic development are to help existing businesses expand and to bring in new business to the area," Hales said. "I've been very fortunate to have played a key role in some major economic development projects and I am looking forward to continuing those efforts at Bloomington."

Other issues Hales said he will be tackling are making city operations more transparent to the public and improving the overall effort of the city to stay ahead of economic changes.

"We have to make sure we have long-range financial plans in place so we can continue to provide services and programming during times like these when we are in an economic recession," he added.

Previously, Mayor Steve Stockton said three candidates were interviewed to replace City Manager Tom Hamilton, who is retiring next month. A release issued by the city on Monday said five candidates were interviewed for the position. The release also said the City Council offered the job to Hales on Nov. 20.

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David A. Hales

Age: 54

Family: wife, Kathy and four grown children.

Experience: Director of Finance, West Jordan, Utah -2005 to present; consultant - 2004 to 2005; City Manager, Bend, Ore. - 2001 to 2003; City Manager, Kannapolis, N.C., - 1997 to 2001; City Manager, Centerville, Utah - 1986 to 1997.

Education and professional certifications: Master's of public administration, Brigham Young University; bachelor's of political science, University of Utah. Hales holds certificates in international relations from the University of Utah and in municipal administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Also, Hales is a certified public finance officer.

SOURCES: David Hales and the city of Bloomington