But Hubler said Thursday he is out of the running, though he doesn't know if it's due to his dismissal from the Davis County city.

"I don't know what goes through the grapevine around here," Hubler said.

Payson's other finalists are North Ogden City Administrator Richard H. Nelson, West Point City Manager Richard L. Davis and Ontario, Ore., City Manager Scott P. Trainor.

The names were obtained through an open-records request.

David Tuckett, Payson's acting city manager and city attorney, said the field was winnowed from more than 30 applicants. The winner will replace Andy Hall, who left this past summer to take the city manager's post in Henderson, Nev.

On Thursday, Hubler said Payson has contacted him to say he will not be considered for the manager's post. He said there was no indication the decision was based on his earlier firing, which he blamed on a conflict between Syracuse Mayor Fred Panucci and the City Council. He said Panucci spread rumors and lies about him, and the council decided at that point to dismiss him.

"The nature of the city-manager beast is they can fire you for nothing," Hubler said.

According to news reports, Hubler was fired in February, less than a year after coming to Syracuse, amid disputes with the council over financial management. Among the points of disagreement: Hubler's decision to purchase a new phone system for the city before the city built a new City Hall.

Syracuse Councilman Danny Hammon would not comment on the reasons for Hubler's termination, but added "he was a good man and did a good job."

Payson Mayor Burtis Bills said he and members of the City Council were aware of Hubler's firing, but he said that was not necessarily a strike against him.

He said city managers are subject to ouster if a new council is elected or personality conflicts arise. He said he didn't ask Hubler about the firing during their interviews.

Bills said the council plans to announce Nov. 7 the name of the new manager, who then will take over later that month.

dmeyers@sltrib.com