The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall and will conclude with a chance for participants to share their thoughts on the candidates in an on-location survey. The public is encouraged to submit questions in advance. A form to do so, along with the survey, can be found with a search for “city manager” on the city website.

The three finalists selected as candidates for city manager are Assistant City Manager Tom Joyce, now serving as interim manager; David Lakefield, city finance director; and David Kees, an independent contractor in business development and mineral acquisition in Irving, Texas.

They will participate in a series of three panel interviews Tuesday morning, from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Two panels will each include three council members and two members of the community, and Mayor Mark Jantzer will conduct the third panel interview. The interviews are open for the public to attend, but the evening session will allow for public interaction with the candidates.

Candidates also will participate in an employee potluck lunch at noon, followed by a tour of city departments and a 4 p.m. department head meet-and-greet.

David Kees

Joyce began his role as assistant city manager in 2024, after retiring as colonel with the U.S. Air Force in 2014 and serving the U.S. Army as deputy garrison commander. Joyce earned a Master of Strategic Studies, Air War College; Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air Command and Staff College; and Master of Science, Purdue University.

Kees has experience as assistant city manager in Duncanville, Texas, and as previous director of Planning and Zoning in Louisiana. He earned a Master of Science in health and human performance from Northwestern State University and studied law at Louisiana State University. Lakefield has served as finance director in Minot since 2017, He is a Certified Public Accountant and earned a Master of Science in management from the University of Mary, Bismarck.

The candidates are seeking the position vacated by Harold Stewart, who left in August to take a similar position in Pasco, Washington.

David Lakefield