The City of Wayland is making a conditional offer for an employment contract as police chief to Mark Garnsey of Rockford.

Garnsey, one of four finalists for the job to succeed outgoing Chief Steve Harper, is undergoing contract negotiations for the position, which has been advertised for between $72,000 and $76,000 annually.

City Manager Joshua Eggleston said he recommended Garnsey to the council in closed session Monday after the regular City Council meeting. Eggleston said the final offer will be made after negotiations, background check and psych evaluation.

Garnsey currently is a consultant, accreditation assessor and public information officer with the Newaygo Police Department. He and three other finalists were introduced to the public at a “meet and greet” session Jan. 14 at the Jayda Gale Distillery on South Main Street.

The other finalists were John Neph of Ortonville, an officer with the Lake Orion Police Department and Detroit Water Authority; Eric Speese of Byron Center, an officer with the Wayland Police Department, and Brian Berg of Freeland, police officer with the St. Charles Police Department and owner of Adopt-A-COP Solutions, Inc.

Harper, who served as Wayland Police Chief for six years and before that commander of the Michigan State Police post in Wayland, announced last fall that he would retire this month to take a position with his church in Ottawa County.