“I am considering this a successful recruitment,” said Chris Eppley, whose last day as city administrator is May 19. “I think it speaks highly of the community that we received the number and the quality and caliber of applicants that we have.”

Larry Shepek of Laming Tice and Shepek Insurance is the lone local candidate. The application process closed last Friday.

“Yes, I have made an application,” the 50-year-old Shepek said. “Until the process works through, I have no comment.”

Shepek is a six-year veteran of the Tonganoxie Planning commission, and currently serves as its chairman. He also is vice president of the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce.

Of the 19 other applicants, 17 are male, and one is female.

A total of six are from elsewhere in Kansas; seven are from Missouri, most of them from the Kansas City area; one from Massachusetts; two from Colorado; one from Michigan; one from Wisconsin; and one from Virginia.

“I would say the vast majority have at least some city government experience,” said Eppley, who next month will become city manager in Keizer, Ore. “The majority have city management experience or a master’s degree in public administration.”

Now, the city council will review the applicants and narrow the list to between three and five people, Eppley said.

“They will try to schedule interviews within the next three weeks,” he added.

It’s possible the city could have a new administrator on board in two to three months.

“We have a very competent staff, at all levels,” Eppley said. “The mayor is very knowledgeable about all of the projects that are going on.”