The Mercer Island City Council has been searching since the beginning of the year for a new permanent city manager, after the departure of Noel Treat in December 2015.

Interim City Manager Steve Lancaster is under contract through June.

The city held a reception for the public to meet the final four candidates — Jill Anderson, Robert Larson, Patrick McDonnell and James Thompson — on May 5 at the Community and Event Center.

The council then conducted interviews of the four on Friday and held an executive session to evaluate the applicants’ qualifications.

The council is now deliberating next steps, said Ross Freeman, city communications and sustainability manager.

Anderson has been the city manager in Riverbank, California since 2012. She has also served the cities of Norwalk and Seaside in California. She has a bachelor’s degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Biola University.

Larson has been the city administrator for Snoqualmie for almost 12 years, after starting his career in Minnesota. Larson has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in urban and regional studies, both from Minnesota State University.

McDonnell is currently vice president of Site Services for Shinetsu SEH‐America, in Vancouver, Washington, and has been with the company since 2010. Prior to that, he served as deputy city manager and city manager in Vancouver.

He was also with Clark County for 11 years, where he was assistant county administrator and then county administrator for seven years. He started his career in Minnesota and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s degree in public administration and urban studies, both from Minnesota State University.

Thompson has been the city manager of Casa Grande, Arizona, since 2003. Prior to that, he was the city manager in Bothell, Washington for over four years.

He started his career in Colorado after earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Regis University in Denver, Colorado.

The Mercer Island City Council did not take any action following its executive session, but may put this item on its May 16 meeting, said City Clerk Ali Spietz.