Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley said Friday he is behind his own schedule but he'll recommend a new city manager to city council by the first week of August.
In the meantime, Cranley has asked city council to allow interim city manager Scott Stiles to remain running the day-to-day operations of the city for another two months.
The mayor said his plan was to have recommended a permanent replacement for former city manager Milton Dohoney by now. Dohoney resigned shortly after Cranley was elected last November.
Cranley said the city budget and work on major economic development deals caused the delay in the search for a new city manager.
Cranley said that during the week of July 28, he will arrange interviews with at least two candidates for the job. Presenting his choice to council during the first week of August will allow council's Rules and Audit Committee to hold a public hearing on his recommended candidate at its Aug. 5 meeting.
Council must sign off on Cranley's eventual choice for the job.