Laurinburg City Manager Craig Honeycutt is one of four finalists for the top administrative job in Alamance County.

The board of commissioners there is expected to meet behind closed doors on Monday to select a new county manager.

Honeycutt said he found out about the position through a friend.

"I am not unhappy. I am not actively searching for jobs," Honeycutt said "I just put in my application, never thinking I'd be a finalist for the job."

The other candidates are Tim Burgess, the interim county manager for Alamance, Rob Hites, Statesville city manager and Bryan Foster, a former Halifax County administrator.

Honeycutt said he feels his chances of landing the job are slim because of the strength of the other candidates.

"It made me feel good that a community that large felt I was qualified," Honeycutt said.

He has been the city manager of Laurinburg since Aug. 29, 2005. He also served as Fletcher city manager for 12 years. A native of Aberdeen, Honeycutt graduated from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke before getting his master's from Western Carolina University.

"I'd be disappointed if Mr. Honeycutt was to take the county manager position in Alamance because he has done and is doing a good job for the city of Laurinburg," Mayor Matthew Block said.

The mayor said Alamance's budget and population are greater than Laurinburg's and serving as manager there would be "a new challenge." Alamance County has a population of more than 145,000 and a budget of around $150 million. Laurinburg's population is close to 16,000, according to the last Census.

"Mr. Honeycutt is in the prime of his professional career. I think it would be unusual for someone at his stage with his experience and ability to at least look into an opportunity that has been presented."

Council Member Curtis Leak said many county governements are looking for young, motivated, energetic managers and Honeycutt "fits the bill." Leak said that Honeycutt has done an outstanding job.

"When you are a municipality as small as we are, they don't stay forever. I wish him well," Leak said.

Alamance County last manager, David I. Smith retired in December. He served as county manager for three years and the county attorney for the past 12 years.