The meeting, which lasted nearly four-and-a-half hours, had two men and a woman come before the council to present their qualifications for the city manager position.
Council members said the candidates all seemed qualified.
"Its going very, very well," Mayor Matthew Block said . "I was very impressed with all three candidates."
Block said he'd be pleased with any of the three as the next city manager.
The city has not released the names of the six remaining candidates for the city's top spot and declined to comment on the salary being offered. Former City Manager Craig Honeycutt was paid $98,606, with a car allowance of $450 a month along with regular benefits of a city employee.
"For their own reasons, they said they were comfortable with the salary being offered," Block said. "They all look forward to the challenge of coming into a place with lots of challenges,"
Mayor Pro Tem Rembert DeBerry appeared equally satisfied with Wednesday's interviews.
"All three candidates were great," DeBerry said. "All had a lot of knowledge."
DeBerry said the council was educated by the interviewees.
"The interviews helped us too," DeBerry said. "We got information... that will help us in the future."
DeBerry was hesitant on answering whether or not he had a favorite.
"I do have a favorite – I have a one, a two and a three," the councilman said.
"Maybe we can narrow it down even further," DeBerry said.
DeBerry said it is unlikely for city residents to learn the identities of any of the picks until the city has hired a new manager.
"We don't usually do that until the candidate is picked," DeBerry said.
Councilwoman Amanda Faulk said picking the next city manager is going to be a difficult decision.
"I think that all three interviews were very good," Faulk said. "All three were very qualified. We have our work cut out for us."
When asked if she had a favorite, Faulk said "I would say that is too tough to call."
She added: "I think, no matter what, we will have a good candidate for city manager."
Councilman Tommy Parker parroted the feelings of his fellow council members.
"I think all three were very good candidates," Parker said.
Parker said he has not picked a favorite yet.
"I think if we picked any of the three, we would be in good shape," Parker said.
The city has not released the names of the six remaining candidates for the city's top spot and declined to comment on the salary being offered.
The council will interview the other three remaining candidate's Thursday night, beginning at 5 p.m.
Block said these interviews will narrow down the field further and likely call back a smaller group for second interviews. He expects the process will be complete in the next four to six weeks.
Honeycutt stepped down April 3 to become county manager for Alamance.
He began as city manager Aug. 29, 2005. He also served as Fletcher city manager for 12 years.
Dee Hammond, interim city manager, was appointed to fill Honeycutt's position. She did not apply for the position and will return to her previous post as city clerk when a new manager is found.
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