PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The search for Port Arthur city manager is still ongoing.
In the last two years, the city had three people fill the role, but only temporarily.
Monday morning, Port Arthur city council members met in a closed session to discuss the next steps in hiring a permanent city manager.
For Port Arthur resident, Peggy Bonin, it's not just about filling the position but about finding the right candidate for the position, but that she is concerned about the missing piece of leadership in the city.
"The flooding problem definitely needs to be addressed. There are houses in the areas that need to be torn down, there is one right across the street," said Bonin.
She's lived in the city for the last 12 years.
Bonin said with the recent crimes in the city, she hopes council members find someone who will take control of the matter.
"I've felt pretty safe here but I know the crime rate is going up. Just, things need to be taken care of," said Bonin.
Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie tells 12News they are getting closer to a decision but it is still going to take time.
According to the mayor, council members have received a list of names from a Dallas-area firm who conducted a nationwide search for candidates.
Mayor Bartie would not say how many names are on the list, or comment on the breakdown of men and women. He did say that council members have seen the list of potential candidates from the search firm and they will now have to narrow down who they want to interview.
"It's going to take some time. We are not trying to run through it but we are trying to do it and get it right," said Mayor Bartie.
Since Brian McDougal's resignation in November of 2017, Port Arthur has had three interim city managers.
In February 2019, council members announced four finalists, but the council decided against naming any of those candidates as manager.
"It's just the timing was necessary for us to have an interim person until we are ready to finalize someone who will do it for us," said Mayor Bartie.
Bonin hopes the next city manager is someone who will listen to the concerns of the community.
"Someone that is going to be compassionate and understanding but a take charge person that sees that things are done," said Bonin.