The search for a new city manager for Webster City has resumed with the goal of having someone on the job in July.

Whoever is hired will replace former City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez, who resigned last summer to take a similiar position in California. Kent Harfst, the assistant city manager and director of recreation and public grounds, has been serving as manager since then.

Initial efforts last year to recruit a new city manager were unsuccessful.

On Monday, the City Council resumed the search by unanimously hiring Callahan Municipal Consultants LLC, of Anamosa, to conduct the recruitment effort. The company will be paid a maximum of $17,500.

Early this month, the council agreed to use that firm for the search after reviewing the qualifications of several companies. The council did not actually hire the company until Monday.

There was no discussion of the hiring apart from Mayor John Hawkins asking about the expected time frame for having a new city manager on the job.