Naples Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Gary Young will become the next city manager, averting a lengthy, expensive national search for a replacement.

City Council unanimously agreed to hire Young at its Jan. 13 workshop to replace City Manager Jay Boodheshwar, who will retire Jan. 31 from a 30-year public-service career, including more than 2½ years in Naples, to accept a private-sector job in Palm Beach County.

Council will formalize the vote at its regular meeting Jan. 15. It was Mayor Teresa Heitmann who suggested Young be named city manager, not just interim city manager, and to skip the search.

“Throughout Mr. Young’s tenure, he showcased his outstanding financial accounting and successes in managing our city’s budget and ensuring fiscal responsibility,” Heitmann said, adding he works tirelessly and citing his ability to analyze complex financial data, make informed, ethical decisions and build transparency and trust in the community.

“Beyond his technical skills, Mr. Young possesses the remarkable interpersonal qualities that make him the only candidate for city manager at this time,” she added. “He is a collaborative leader who values input from all stakeholders, and he has a proven track record of building strong relationships with both staff and our community. His approachable demeanor and willingness to listen has made him a respected figure in our organization.”

In a memo to Council, Boodheshwar said it could take six months to hire a search firm, conduct a search and interviews, or at least three months if the city conducted its own search. In addition, he said, it could take two months after a candidate is selected to move to Naples, and national search firm costs, when he was hired, totaled $55,000.

Heitmann noted Young has spent nearly 40 years in public service and could be a bridge to serve the city until she finishes her mayoral term three years from now. Young has been the city’s CFO for nearly four years, after serving as deputy finance director.

He joined the city in February 2016 after 30 years as chief deputy auditor for the City of Canton, Ohio, and earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Malone University in Canton.

He’ll oversee about 525 city employees and a $208.8 million budget. The city will now have to fill his finance director position and formalize a city manager contract. Boodheshwar’s yearly salary is $297,675, in addition to perks, such as a housing allowance and city vehicle.

Council member Linda Penniman noted she’s probably worked longer with Young than others on Council and has seen a “consistent quality of effort,” including guiding the city through the economic downturn and recovery.

“This is a remarkable man and we are really very, very fortunate that you are willing to step forward and we will be better off for it,” Penniman added.

Council member Ray Christman said the timing works well because Young was considering retiring from public service in a few years. Council member Berne Barton called it “extremely fortunate” to have a deputy manager willing to step into the role because Naples faces many short- and long-term expenses, including resiliency projects and stormwater improvements.

Young said it wasn’t his intent to spend three more years with the city because he’ll reach 40 years in public service June 5, but he agreed to be a bridge and to continue discussions with Council and his wife about his tenure.

“I would feel privileged to carry the ball forward for you and to do it in a way that puts all of us in a better position,” Young said of major initiatives over the next 10 to 20 years, including completion of the Naples Pier. “We’re going to keep that going and see if we can’t get through another 36 months or so together and get us all in a wonderful place and know that we made the right decision today.”

Boodheshwar, who was Palm Beach’s deputy town manager, before he was hired in Naples, will return to that area so he and his wife can be close to their daughter and have more life balance. He still owns a home there and records show he applied for the Juno Beach town manager job before accepting a private-sector job that hasn’t been disclosed.

Boodheshwar, who also serves as CRA director, has advised Council to vote on that role at its Jan. 30 meeting. He called Young’s 40 years of public service impressive.

“He could have been a city manager anywhere many, many years ago,” Boodheshwar said, adding that Naples has a “very impressive team” that works well together. “I have a personal attachment to this community and this team and knowing that it’s going to be in great hands with someone I know really well and trust makes me feel good, so I congratulate you on this decision to skip the search because sometimes the best candidate is right under your nose.”