Rincon interim City Manager David Schofield has less than a week left in his temporary post before new city manager Donald Toms takes the reins.

“I had a ball,” said Schofield of his five-month experience. “It’s been a lot of work, but I enjoyed it.”

When former city manager Mike Barton abruptly resigned in March, Schofield was asked to take the post until the city council could find a permanent replacement.

Despite the fact that Schofield had only been hired as the new police chief in Rincon and was a new resident, he eagerly accepted the post.

“I was flattered that they would think that I could do the job,” he said.

Furthermore, the job gave him the opportunity to explore a field he has always been intrigued by.

“I’ve been interested in city government all my life,” he noted, adding that he was able “to get behind the wheel.”

When asked how he split his time as both police chief and city manager, Schofield answered with a laugh, “As necessary.”

He admits that he probably spent most of his time at City Hall. He kept in regular contact with a watch commander and his two sergeants.

“I tried to spend as much time wherever I was needed,” he said.

Having a strong, professional staff at both departments made the back and forth manageable.

Schofield admits that the one thing he will miss most about the experience is all the activity.

“I hate to be idle,” he said. “I’ve been referred to by wife as a workaholic.”

And indeed he was kept busy. On some days he said he worked until 11 p.m — though that didn’t bother him.

“I work a bunch of hours anyway,” he said.

However, most of the time he was able to get out around 6:30 p.m.

There was nothing about the job that he really disliked.

“I just liked the whole thing,” said Schofield.

Toms will start Aug. 15. Schofield plans to spend just a few days getting him up to date on everything.

The two men have already met, however.

“He is a really good guy,” said Schofield.

And with Toms’ arrival he will finally be able to resume all his plans for the police department that he had to put on hold when he became interim city manager.

“He’s done a great job,” said Mayor Ken Lee. “He’s not dropped the ball.”

Even as the city navigated critical issues such as the new surface water agreement with the county, Schofield kept everything going, noted Lee.

“We didn’t skip a beat,” he said