Here’s when the city of Wichita will announce finalists for city manager

Wichita residents will know who candidates for the next city manager will be on Nov. 10.

The city’s search committee is expected to narrow its field of candidates to three that morning, with a public announcement scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

“We’re waiting until the end of day to respectfully allow the finalists the time to inform their employers as well as their families,” Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said at her weekly media briefing.

Wichita is seeking a new city manager after longtime City Manager Robert Layton announced his retirement earlier this year.

Layton’s last day with the city will be in December.

The three candidates for city manager will have on-site interviews the following week, as well as an in-person event with city residents on a date that has yet to be announced.

CPS HR Consulting was hired to help lead the search for the new city manager, alongside the advisory committee made up of residents appointed by the city council.

Wu said the city had more than 80 applicants for the position.

Of those applications, 17 were selected for review by the advisory committee, according to the city’s website.

After the interview process, the city council is expected to vote on a candidate to be the next city manager in late November or early December.

This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 1:43 PM.