Traverse City commissioners Monday night winnowed a field of 34 city manager candidates to seven be invited for first-round interviews May 1 and 2.

Six of the seven finalists requested confidentiality in the application process, so their identities will not be released until they’ve agreed to accept an interview request. Commissioners set a deadline of Thursday this week for candidates to respond. The seventh candidate, James Drumm of Zephyrhills, Florida, served as city manager of that city from 2011-2014, city manager of High Springs, Florida, from 2004-2010 and city manager of Lake Alfred, Florida, from 1994-2001. He has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of South Florida.

Commissioner Barbara Budros – who recused herself from Monday night’s discussion because she submitted her resume for the position – did not earn enough votes from fellow commissioners to move forward in the interview process. She will be allowed to participate in interviewing other candidates going forward if she believes she no longer has a conflict of interest, according to City Attorney Lauren Trible-Laucht.

City commissioners Monday night also approved amending the city’s TIF 97 plan to allow reimbursement for brownfield-eligible expenses, and authorized a contract with engineering firm Baird & Associates for up to $72,500 to develop design plans for shoreline repairs at Clinch Park.