Greater Hume Shire is on the lookout for an executive style home to boost its chances of securing a quality replacement for its long-serving general manager who departs the role next year.
Steve Pinnuck has been with the council since its inception in 2004 and became general manager two years later when Peter Veneris left to join the Albury-Wodonga Corporation.
Mayor Heather Wilton said it was council's preference for Mr Pinnuck's replacement to live in the shire and to achieve that aim the provision of suitable home had to be offered as part of the job package.
But finding the right place in a tough property market is the initial challenge.
"There is almost nothing for sale, for lease or for rent virtually anywhere in the Greater Hume Shire of the sort we are looking for," Cr Wilton said.
"We are looking at a fair bit of money.
"But we have to do something if we are going to attract the right person into our shire."
The council this week agreed to sell a property it owns in Peel Street, Holbrook to offset an anticipated spend of $500,000 for the right home.
Cr Wilton said when she was on Berrigan Council it had residences for the council general manager and engineer.
Greater Hume did sell a home in Culcairn it had rented to a staff member.
The option to build has been ruled out due to the anticipated wait time of between 18 months to two years presently.
It is hoped a home in Culcairn or Holbrook can be found before July 1 next year when Mr Pinnuck departs.
"We can't build a house in that timeframe," Cr Wilton said.
"But we might be able to buy a house that needs some upgrades and we could do that in six months if needed.
"It is not necessarily a prerequisite our next gm lives in the shire, but that is what we are looking for.
"If we can provide a quality home that would be an attractive proposition."
He has resigned, effective January 17, but will start leave next Friday.
Deb Mudra is the recommended interim chief executive ahead of a special meeting on Monday to decide a short-term replacement.
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