INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Seventy-two people from 20 different states have applied to become the new leader of the Incline Village General Improvement District.

“There is a diverse, yet qualified group of candidates,” said district Human Resources Director Dee Carey on Wednesday.

In late January, the IVGID Board of Trustees voted 4-1 to adopt a timeline to hire a new general manager that included initial forgoing an executive search firm in favor of posting an official job announcement, with an application deadline of March 15.

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The 72 applications that met Friday’s deadline were forwarded this week to the five IVGID trustees, said Carey, who expects to receive input by next Monday.

“From there, I’ll be reviewing and prioritizing (the applications) based on trustees’ top selections,” Carey said.

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According to previous reports, if the board opts to move forward with a first round of candidates, various interviews and screenings would conclude with the board making a recommendation for a new GM sometime in May. If none of the initial candidates are deemed sufficient, however, the board could then vote on whether to hire a search firm at its April 10 meeting.

At its Jan. 30 meeting, IVGID board Vice-Chair Joe Wolfe was the lone trustee to vote against the timeline, as he favored putting out a bid for a headhunting firm sooner because he feels it will bring forth candidates that the just-concluded regional search wouldn’t reach.

“… I think a search firm has better contacts, and we’re in an industry where we need to have a lot of exposure out there,” Wolfe said in a Feb. 5 interview. “I’m not saying a local candidate might not be the right candidate, but I feel if we don’t (hire a search firm), and we don’t go quickly, then we’re behind he 8 ball.”

Other trustees disagreed.

“The feeling is we have several people in this community who would fit this job description,” said Board Chairman Bruce Simonian at the Jan. 30 meeting. “I think we’re going to find some very capable people right here in this small area.”

Of the 72 people who applied, “a few” are from the Tahoe/Truckee region, Carey said Wednesday.

The next IVGID board meeting is Wednesday, March 27, at 6 p.m. at the Chateau, starting with an informal reception at 5 p.m.

On Wednesday, Carey said that while the GM search was not an agendized item for next week’s meeting, she wouldn’t doubt if she’s asked by the board to update the public on the hiring process.

Current General Manager Bill Horn — who has held the position of IVGID GM since 2002 — will retire at the end of 2013.