It has been described as the critical decision facing Armidale Regional Council.
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The search for the next general manager is continuing with the administrator Viv May indicating last week that they had still not found the right person for the job.
The recruitment process started on August 28 and was due to close on Monday last week, however this has now been extended until October 5.
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Following the departure of Susan Law, an interim general manager John Rayner was hired.
In consultation with the recruitment advisor, Mr May said two participants from the resident meeting convened to assist in defining the qualities of the new general manager will be selected to assist Mr Rayner and Mr May in the final selection process.
"I'm hoping we get a good general manager who has experience in regional areas, and that person is given air to address the issues and take the council back to basics," Mr May said.
He said a new general manager was going to need a lot of time to restore public confidence in Armidale Regional Council.
"Whether you live in a village, or Armidale, another locality or on a property, nobody is happy," he said.
"It's going to take time, and it's going to be critical to get a good general manager, because that person is the glue that holds it all together."
Mrs Law's resignation came after the council had been suspended by the Minister for Local Government.
In early July, Mr Rayner was named as the interim general manager.
Before Mr Rayner arrived, a temporary acting manager, David Kerr, was seconded from Sydney's northern beaches to oversee the council until August 23.
Then last month Mr May held the workshop with 30 local residents who applied to have a say on the appointment the full-time general manager.
