San Diego

The San Diego City Council gave final approval Monday to Korn/Ferry International, an executive search firm, to conduct a nationwide search for a new city manager. Korn/Ferry is to be paid $15,000 for the search and receive up to $5,000 for any additional expenses. Under the charter, the council has 60 days after manager Ray Blair resigns on June 27 to find someone to replace him. Blair, the city’s manager for seven years, has said he is leaving because of his health and the stress of the job. The manager’s job is San Diego’s top non-elected post, running all city operations and managing 7,000 employees. The next manager is expected to earn from $70,000 to $90,000 a year.