Two weeks after the decision to search for an interim executive director for the summer, the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District has changed its tune and resumed its search for an executive director.

This district has operated without anyone in the top role since February, when former Executive Director Doug Coutts resigned. That is soon about to change.

At its regular meeting on Wednesday, the district’s board of commissioners decided to extend an offer of employment to Brian Tomisser, an employee of the City of SeaTac, Washington. During its search for an executive director, the board had narrowed the field down to top candidate Tomisser, but negotiations had since “stagnated,” as Commissioner Jennifer Cox put it.

“But we all believe, still, that he is the best candidate for this position,” she said.

Commissioner Matt Simms was the lone dissenting vote on the board. He expressed concern about the candidate asking to be placed higher on the position’s salary range without providing amplifying information about his experience, and his comment about not being interested in applying for the SeaTac Parks and Recreation Director job, which he filled on an interim basis, because it was “too visible.”

On Thursday, Tomisser accepted the offer to be the district’s next executive director with an annual salary of $112,563. He plans to start in September.