While Deltona and its executive-search consultant seek out a new permanent city manager, a sudden and unforeseen development is worth noting.

Shortly before the City Commission’s Feb. 5 regular meeting ended, Commissioner Maritza Avila-Vazquez queried the current acting administrator if he would vie for the position.

“Mr. [Glenn] Whitcomb, would you like to apply for the city-manager position?” she asked him.

“Do I have to answer that?” he asked.

“Yes,” Avila-Vazquez replied.

“I would like to have a few days to think about that,” Whitcomb replied.

Whitcomb was pulled from serving as Deltona’s director of public works and elevated to interim city manager last fall, after then-Interim City Manager James Chisholm abruptly resigned. Whitcomb has said he wants to return to his former position as soon as possible.

Since January 2020, following the resignation of City Manager Jane Shang, Deltona has had a series of five temporary city managers.

Also at its Feb. 5 meeting, the Deltona City Commission set the salary range for the next permanent city manager between $160,000 and $250,000 per year.

Whitcomb is now earning $135,990.40 per year as interim manager.

Deltona has contracted with Colin Baenziger and Associates to aid in the search for the next permanent city manager. The city is paying Baenziger $34,500 for his services in marketing the position, seeking applicants and screening them, before recommending top candidates for interviews and possible employment offers.