Second round of interviews set for Franklin County manager job finalists

Billy Morse

Dale Surrett

Tim Merritt

FRANKLIN COUNTY — The three finalists for the job of Franklin County manager will appear before the full County Board of Commissioners for a second and final round of interviews.

Commissioners have narrowed the field from nine candidates to three finalists out of a total of 54 applicants.

During the initial interview process, each commissioner spoke with several candidates then chose the candidate he or she felt best qualified. The commission then chose the three finalists.

Those three are Tim Merritt, a former assistant city manager from Gainesville, Billy Morse, former city manager from Toccoa, and Dale Surrett, former Oconee County, S.C., administrator.

Each finalist now will meet Nov. 10 with the entire board of commissioners for interviewing at the county commission office in Carnesville. Tim Merritt will be interviewed at 4 p.m., followed by Dale Surrett at 5 p.m. and then Billy Morse at 6 p.m.

From that time, the commission must wait 14 days by state law before announcing the person selected to replace Frank Ginn.