DEMOPOLIS &045; The City Council is expected to name the interim fire chief on Friday, according to the mayor.

Mayor Cecil Williamson said Monday that the finance council met yesterday morning to set a salary for the interim position.

The mayor would not release the salary set for the interim position, saying she wanted Public Safety Director Jeff Manuel to have a chance to talk to the candidate first.

While the mayor said Manuel was speaking with his &8220;first choice&8221; as early as last night, Manuel was not as forthcoming.

Williamson said Manuel’s first choice might not want to take the position but did not elaborate as to why.

The council is expected to call a special meeting for Friday morning to approve Manuel’s recommendation for the interim position.

The city is not expected to start their search for a permanent replacement for Chief George Davenport until after Christmas. The mayor said applications will be taken through the end of January and then begin interviews in February. Davenport retired earlier this month.