Johnson City commissioners are preparing to make perhaps the most consequential decision of their tenure. After about 15 years in the position, City Manager Pete Peterson is planning to retire at the end of 2021. As commissioners gear up to pick his replacement, the body interviewed four national search firms over the span of two hours last Thursday. The four recruiting agencies â Baker Tilley, Strategic Government Resources, Slavin Management Consultants and Colin Baenziger & Associates â were whittled down from an initial list of 10 that responded to the cityâs recent request for proposals. To narrow down the candidates, Human Resources Director Steve Willis evaluated each firmâs public sector experience, their number of placements and what percentage of their placements were city managers versus other positions. Mayor Joe Wise also received all 10 proposals.