Fred Stouder, who was voted in as Kenmore’s second city manager in December 2008, will be retiring soon.

“We are in the process of hiring a new city manager,” said Mayor David Baker, adding that the city has narrowed down the final group of candidates to five and will be interviewing them next Thursday.

Baker said he couldn’t reveal the candidates’ names at post time.

Kenmore City Council on Dec. 8, 2008, voted 6-1 to offer a two-year contract to Stouder, who had been serving as interim city manager since August of that year.

Stouder has served in numerous municipal positions around Washington.