The head of the California Redevelopment Association has emerged as the front-runner to become Sacramento's next city manager.

John Shirey, the association's executive director, confirmed Thursday that he is the preferred candidate to replace former City Manager Ray Kerridge, who left the post in mid-2010.

"They have indicated to me that I am their top choice," Shirey said. "And we are in the process of seeing if we can come together on an agreement."

Whoever is hired will be the fifth person to hold the post since December 2005, when Bob Thomas was forced to resign and was replaced by Kerridge.

Kerridge stayed for five years. Assistant City Manager Gus Vina stepped into the top job in an interim capacity in early 2010 and remained until this March. When he left, a former Sacramento city manager, William Edgar, took the interim job.

In a statement Thursday, Mayor Kevin Johnson said he was "disappointed" by the hiring process, though he said he would support whomever is selected for the job.

"It's the same process that has led to five city managers in less than six years," Johnson said. "It's clear I have a different vision for the city and this position than the majority of council.

"But I will respect our collective decision, and join all of my colleagues in offering my full support to the new city manager."

Johnson was said to have been dissatisfied with the process of hiring and the fact that the candidate pool of only 30 people did not go deeper.

He supported Kerridge and Vina when they held the job, but both resigned.

Councilwoman Angelique Ashby agreed that the past four or five years have been difficult, in part because of the tough economy and budget shortfalls.

"There have been some good people who have been our city managers," she said. "But right now, it's time to move forward."

Ashby said the search was nationwide. And, in an allusion to Shirey, she said the preferred applicant would have emerged no matter the size of the candidate pool.

"He is a good candidate," Ashby said.

Councilman Kevin McCarty also backs the process.

"Certainly it's an ongoing process, and we're nearing the end," McCarty said. "But I was pleased by the applicants we had."

Councilman Jay Schenirer said he anticipates that a city manager could be in place around Labor Day and that an announcement could come in about a week.

Shirey's biography, posted on the redevelopment association website, notes that he has served more than 35 years in a range of government positions, including city manager in Cincinnati, assistant city manager in Long Beach and assistant chief administrative officer for Los Angeles County.

He has been the executive director of the California Redevelopment Association for the past nine years.

The City Council still must approve an agreement to be hammered out with the candidate. The council will review the contract in closed session, and then make an offer before voting on it in open session.

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