BLUEFIELD — A search for a new treasurer was added Thursday to the search for a new city manager when the city of Bluefield’s chief financial officer tendered his resignation.<br /><br />Kenneth Mulkey, chief financial officer for the city of Bluefield, tendered his resignation during a special-called meeting of the Bluefield Board of Directors, Joshua Cline, assistant city manager, said Thursday.<br /><br />Nancy Bailey, a long-time employee of Bluefield’s municipal government, was appointed as interim head of the treasury department, said Mayor Tom Cole. Cole declined to comment on the reasons why Mulkey resigned; personnel matters are discussed in executive session.<br /><br />“We appreciate and value his efforts while he was at that post and wish him the best as he moves forward,” Cole said of Mulkey’s departure. “Right now we’ve installed Nancy Bailey. She has an excellent understanding of all that’s going on, and we have a lot of confidence in her to fill those shoes on an interim basis. We’ll reevaluate what we’ll do once we hire a city manager.”<br /><br />The board of supervisors has been seeking a new city manager since the departure of City Manager Jim Ferguson. Police Chief Dennis Dillow has been the acting city manager.<br /><br />“We’ve narrowed it down to several candidates,” Cole said. “We’re beginning to schedule personal interviews. I feel very confident that we have a good selection and some very qualified candidates. Hopefully in the next 30 days or so we’ll be able to extend an offer to someone.”<br /><br />Dillow undertook the job of interim city manager while continuing to lead the police department.<br /><br />“He has done an extraordinary job. It’s allowing us to proceed with the goal of hiring the right person without the pressure to get somebody into the position. We feel we can take our time as opposed to making a hire just to make a hire,” Cole said. “We’re not dragging our feet, but we’re not under immediate pressure. Dennis is absolutely doing an excellent job.”