A candidate for the city administrator position dropped out Wednesday, bringing the total number of people still in the running down to five.

Joseph Pepplitsch, the current city manager in Lexington, Neb., took himself off the list to accept another position, City Administrator Pat McGarvey said. McGarvey did not know what position he took.

Another candidate, David Schornack, city administrator in Jefferson, Wis., also might be bowing out early. He too is looking at another job, which if he is offered and accepts, would take him off of the list of candidates.

"(Schornack) has applied for a vacancy in the Twin Cities," McGarvey said. "They're about a week ahead of us, so depending on how that plays out, he might not be with us."

Interviews for the position, which McGarvey will be leaving on April 30, are Friday and Saturday in Austin. The city has scheduled two full days of tours, interviews and receptions for the group, which arrives tonight.

On Friday, candidates will spend the morning meeting with department heads at City Hall.

After lunch, the group goes on a tour of the city and facilities. The tour is an important part of the weekend, said Mayor Bonnie Rietz.

"This isn't just them looking for a job," Rietz said. "We also need to show them what a wonderful community Austin is."

In the afternoon, while the candidates are learning about the schools and housing in Austin, department heads will give their opinions to James Brimeyer, president of The Brimeyer Group and consultant in the hiring process.

There will be a community reception open to the public in the library from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Rietz encourages citizens to come and meet the candidates. She said she hoped the community would be involved in the hiring process.

"I'm asking that anyone that has any input, positive or negative, call me," Rietz said. "I'll take that information into deliberations and keep it in mind."

Interviews with the city council take place on Saturday. In the morning, council members meet individually with each candidate. In the afternoon, the council as a whole will interview each candidate.

At 3:45 p.m., the council will begin discussion and, if all goes well, authorize Brimeyer to negotiate with the their choice.

Rietz stressed the importance of this decision.

"The city administrator is very visible in the community and very important to the community," she said. "I'm really looking forward to meeting (the candidates), talking with them and seeing what their ideas are."

If you would like to contact the mayor with opinions or concerns regarding the hiring, Rietz can be contacted in her office at 437-9965.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com