VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The City of Valley City is struggling to find the best direction in hiring a City Engineering firm after the hiring process to hire a City Engineer failed earlier this year.

In July, the city decided not to renew their contract with KLJ engineering while they posted for an in-house engineer position.

Right now, the city is back to plan “B” which is to approve one of four engineering firms (Bolton & Menk, Hyalite, KLJ and Moore) who submitted their proposals to be the new city engineering firm. One of those, is a joint proposal from KLJ and Moore Engineering. City Commissioner Jeff Erickson believes there would be a conflict of interest concerning the proposal submitted by KLJ and Moore Engineering.

City Commissioner Duane Magnuson said hiring an engineering firm would be in the best interest (financially) for the city instead of hiring an in-house engineer.

Nothing has been finalized, but the city commission did approved of moving forward with the City Engineer Selection Committee’s Final Report on a 3 to 2 vote. Commissioners Jeff Erickson and Mike Bishop voting against the motion at the November 17th City Commission meeting.

On November 24th, City Attorney Carl Martineck provided a few more details about the Selection Committee’s Final report and the engineering firm hiring process with reporter Steve Urness.