“After winnowing two dozen applicants down to just four over the last six months, then conducting a day-long, $5,000 assessment of the candidates followed by another day of lengthy interviews, Oak Harbor Mayor Patty Cohen finally made her decision on the next city administrator:Nobody.Unfortunately, all of the things I was looking for I did not find in one candidate, she said. It’s such a critical time in the city’s history. I don’t want to have any doubt in my mind that this is the right person for Oak Harbor today.But instead of starting the search over, Cohen said she’s going to postpone any hunt for a permanent city administrator indefinitely. Instead, she says she’s looking to contract with a consultant-type person for administrative services on a temporary basis.Cohen has contacted the Association of Washington Cities and let them know that she’s looking for a contract administrator. She says she’s gotten lots of calls and has interviewed candidates already this week.Former city supervisor E.T. Silvers worked for the city on a contract-basis. He was not technically a city employee and didn’t receive benefits, thus saving the city some cash-ola.Since Silvers was canned about a year ago, City Finance Director Doug Merriman has been trying to balance the dual roles of interim city supervisor and head of finance.Merriman says he can continue working both jobs and manage the day-to-day operations of the city with Cohen, but the city needs to hire someone to spearhead special projects.He said a new contract administrator would likely be tasked with a large economic development-related project, such as revitalizing downtown or expanding city utilities out into the Goldie Road commercial area.Although she didn’t find an acceptable city administrator, Cohen said she is pleased with the process itself. On Thursday, she said the four candidates were put through an assessment center designed by a consultant.During the all-day assessment, a group of volunteers assessors graded the candidates on how they dealt with four different role-playing situation. In one situation based on a real event, a volunteer played an irate employee complaining to the city administrator.The assessment center was a success, Cohen said. It did everything it was supposed to. “