GULF SHORES, Ala. — After a brief review during Monday’s work session, City Council members will vote next week to create the new position of Recreation and Cultural Arts Director. Although the position will not officially be voted upon until next week, the city has already chosen Gulf Shores resident Grant Brown as the person to fill the position.

According to City Council member Steve Jones, the position will oversee such diverse city departments as recreation, special events and the library.

According to a press release issued by the city, the department will be the second-largest department in the city, trailing only the police department in number of employees.

Jones said Slavin Management Consultants of Norcross, Ga. headed the nationwide search for the right candidate. According to a press release issued by the city, more than 250 applications were received when the position was advertised. Slavin narrowed the candidates down and submitted more than two dozen names to the city for consideration.

After a lengthy interview process that included the entire City Council, Brown emerged as the leading candidate for the job, according to City Administrator Steve Garman.

Brown is the director of golf at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort Golf Club and Spa in Point Clear.

Prior to accepting that position, Brown spent several years as general manager of resort operations at the Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club. Until last year, he was the general manager of Cotton Creek Golf Club at Craft Farms, where he worked for Mayor Robert Craft.

Brown, a 1989 graduate of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, has been in the field of recreation and leisure services for his entire career and has extensive experience and knowledge of area tourism.

Brown served on the board of the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau from 1998 to 2009, eight of those years as Chairman of the Board. While working with the CVB Board, Brown was involved with the creation of the Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission.

“Grant brings the unusual combination of private sector business experience, knowledge and understanding of the issues facing Gulf Shores, as well as successful management skills in delivering leisure services and sports activities on the Gulf Coast,” Garman said in the press release.

Brown’s salary, which according to the resolution posted on the city’s Web site, will be between $65,000 and $85,000 per year. Craft was asked in Monday’s meeting whether the salary paid Brown would mean more expenditure for the city. He replied in the negative.

“That (cost savings) was a primary part of the decision,” Craft said.

Jones said the challenges Brown faces will be many, including streamlining the makeup of the departments under his purview.

“In the past several years we have added many new facilities and he will have to devise a plan to streamline these departments,” he said. “We may have some major changes such as the museum and the Entertainment Series, which are really cultural items, falling under the purview of the librarian. It will be up to him to make these decisions and implement them.”

At Monday’s meeting, City Council member Jason Dyken suggested the name of the position be changed to more accurately reflect the job duties.

“It should be changed to recreation and cultural affairs director,” he said “That’s what it really is.”

According to the press release, Brown will begin his new job later this month, and is looking forward to the challenges he will face.

“I am excited for this opportunity and feel privileged to be entrusted with this role that touches so many people, both residents and visitors,” Brown said in the press release. “The city has provided so many wonderful facilities for our enjoyment, but it is imperative that we manage market and maintain these assets, always striving to improve the services to our residents and promote our area through recreation.”