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Transitions: Visalia, CA; Floyd County, GA; Janesville, WI and more
Posted on May 15, 2013 by Salette Andrews
Visalia, California (population 126,432): The Visalia City Council selected Assistant City Manager Mike Olmos to replace current City Manager Steve Salomon who retires in the fall, according to The Business Journal. Olmos was appointed to assistant city manager in 2005 after first serving Visalia as city planner, development services director and then head of the public works department. Before that, he worked for both the City of Reedley, where he was the first community development director and later assistant city manager, and for the City of City of Tulare as its planning and building director. Bypassing a costly nationwide search, the Visalia City Council chose Olmos on the basis of his experience and familiarity with the inner workings of the city. Olmos will make an annual salary of $175,000 when he takes the helm as city manager in the fall and a total compensation of $212,534. Olmos, who has a bachelor's degree in economics, had been making $149,984 a year as assistant city manager. Steve Salomon has served as Visalia city manager and executive director of the city's redevelopment agency since 1996.
Floyd County, Georgia (population 95,989): Jamie McCord will make a base salary of $120,000 when he begins his new job of Floyd County manager next week, according to the Rome News-Tribune. It's more than the base salaries of both his predecessors — Blaine Williams and Kevin Poe — and he'll be the top earner when the three men's benefits are considered. Poe, who served Floyd County for 17 years, left in December 2011. His base salary was $105,918.76. He received an additional $7,416 a year for a vehicle allowance. His deferred compensation totaled $4,500 a year, and his longevity pay was $4,337.56 a year. That amounted to a total package of $122,172.32. Poe now serves as the Jackson County manager in northeast Georgia. His base salary there is $140,000. Williams, who was county manager in 2012, had a base salary of $98,580. He got an additional $6,000 a year for a vehicle allowance, another $780 each year for a phone allowance and $7,420 paid into his deferred compensation. That totaled $112,780, Williams' employment agreement states. Williams, now an assistant manager for Athens-Clarke County, has a base salary of $109,000. McCord makes $96,000 as Rome's public works director. He will begin his new position as county manager May 15 at a base salary of $120,000. He has no vehicle or phone allowance, but instead has those provided to him by the county. According to the employment agreement, McCord can use the vehicle while at work. He also has use of the vehicle when traveling to an event immediately after the workday or if he's at a function before driving to work. The county has credited McCord 268 hours of vacation time and 1,100 hours' sick leave. McCord said he accrued the time with the city, and the county credited him the leave so he wouldn't lose it when he accepted the new position. Additionally, the county will pay $9,000 — 7.5 percent of his salary — into McCord's deferred compensation each year. That brings his total compensation to $129,000.
Janesville, Wisconsin (population 63,479): Eric Levitt reported to Janesville as its new city manager Dec. 16, 2008, according to The Janesville Gazette. One week later, General Motors, the city's largest and most-storied employer, ended production of full-size sport utility vehicles here. Levitt had applied for the city manager job months earlier and saw Janesville as a stable community. But General Motors' financial situation deteriorated over the hiring process. Janesville has since struggled with a crippled local economy aggravated by a national recession. Many people interviewed said Levitt steered Janesville through turbulent times in his quiet, unassuming way. Levitt said the community suffered an identify crisis that created a "huge" feeling of uncertainty. Levitt spoke before leaving for his new job as city manager in Simi Valley, Calif. May 7th was Levitt's last day as Janesville city manger, and Jay Winzenz will be interim city manager while the city council searches for Levitt's replacement. Levitt became the first city manager under a council-manager form of government to work here without General Motors. His challenges didn't end there. Within a month, Levitt and his staff hustled to master complicated federal formulas to capture as much federal stimulus money as possible. In 2010, Levitt dealt with local fallout from Act 10, the game-changing state legislation that abolished collective bargaining for most public employee unions. The chief of police and the public works director both quit during Levitt's first two meetings on his first day of work. Levitt's style was different than his predecessor, longtime City Manager Steve Sheiffer. Sheiffer was high profile and used a heavy hand in directing the city's vision. He accomplished much in 21 years, but by the time he left, some complained about a lack of accessibility and transparency. People repeatedly praised Levitt for his accessibility.
Fridley, Minnesota (population 27,398): The Fridley City Council voted unanimously to select Walter (Wally) Wysopal as the next city manager, according to the Sun Focus. The position opened after former city manager Bill Burns retired Dec. 31. Pending agreement on contract terms, Wysopal is expected to begin around mid-June. A special meeting of the City Council will be held April 30 to finalize and approve the contract. Wysopal has been the city manager for North St. Paul since 1998. Before that, he was assistant city manager of St. Louis Park from 1993 to 1998, assistant to city manager/personnel officer from 1988 to 1993 and public works administrative assistant from 1986 to 1988. He also worked for Northfield, Ill., as the assistant to village manager from 1983 to 1986. When Wysopal was 15, he ran the softball league for the village of North Riverside, Ill., where he grew up. He and his brothers wanted to play softball, and the village didn't offer a recreational softball program, so they started one. Wysopal has a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University and a master's degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University. He and his family have lived in Fridley for six years. They lived in St. Anthony for 18 years, he said, and as their family got bigger with five children, their house became too small. When they looked for a house, they found one they liked in Fridley. For high school, his kids attend Totino-Grace, where his wife graduated. Wysopal has been working in North St. Paul and enjoying his job. But when Bill Burns announced his retirement, he said he thought about it and decided to apply. After living in Fridley for six years, he said he's learned to love the community. Wysopal said he was interested in the position in Fridley because opportunities for city managers don't come up often. The city manager operates the day-to-day business of the city, with several department heads reporting to the city manager. He said Fridley is facing issues he's familiar with, such as Local Government Aid, housing and redevelopment. Wysopal will also serve as a partner with the City Council, and one of his first goals is to help the council clearly identify their objectives so he can work toward them.
Manassas Park, Virginia (population 15,332): Manassas Park City Manager James W. (Jim) Zumwalt announces that, after two and a half years in the top job, he has decided to join his wife, May Louise, in retirement at the end of the City's fiscal year, June 30, 2013, according to the city's web site. Jim Zumwalt was appointed Manassas Park City Manager in January 2011. Before coming to Virginia, Zumwalt served for 12 years as city manager in Paducah, Kentucky. He was recently recognized by the International City/County Management Association for his 40 years of local government service. That experience includes public administrative positions with county governments in South Carolina, Alabama and Virginia, and the cities of Boca Raton (FL) and Kingsport (TN).
St. Joseph, Michigan (population 8,372): It's farewell to Frank Walsh, according to WSBT. May 6 was the last day for the longtime St. Joseph City manager. Walsh was hired in 1996 and is retiring to take a position in Meridian Township near East Lansing to be closer to his aging parents. Over his 17-year tenure, Walsh says he's most proud of all the new facilities they built, mainly with cash, such as the John and Dedee Howard Ice Rink, the skateboard park, the Howard Path and the new fire station. Walsh says he'll miss his staff and the beauty of the city the most. Walsh says there are a few things he didn't get done, like installing new lighting downtown and fixing up city parking lots. A reception for Walsh was scheduled for May 6 at City Hall. The commission interviewed three finalists for the city manager's position on May 11.
Elgin, Texas (population 8,262): In September 2010 Gregory Vick became Elgin's City Manager. He came to Elgin with the complete understanding that his time would be limited here. He leaves on Friday, May 10. What a whirlwind of events have taken place in that short time. A number of achievements have been accomplished in the last 2 ½ years that will benefit the community for years to come. In the area of cost controls garbage rates have been lowered since January of 2011; a tax rate reduction of two and one-half cents has been made for the last two years; our wastewater collection and treatment system has been purchased from LCRA, resulting in a freeze of our wastewater rates for the last two fiscal years and there has been a two year freeze on water rates. There have been other achievements as well. The settlement of the Aqua lawsuit against the city allowed the city to move forward with the Walmart project. The adoption of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) with Bastrop County in the southwest portion of the city created a funding method for the 11th Street (Lee Dildy Blvd.) and Saratoga Farms Blvd. connection between Walmart and HEB. Improvements have been made to development standards. The City acquired the Union Pacific property around and including Veterans Memorial Park. The Public Works operations have been moved from Downtown to the Elgin Business Park. Vick has maintained a high level of respect as a result of his energetic and positive approach to the business of making Elgin a better place. He enjoys a good reputation both within the work place and the entire community.He will now be city manager with the city of Watauga that is very near his home in North Richland Hills. Watauga is a city of between 23,000 and 24,000.
Harrisburg, Oregon (population 3,613): Bruce Cleeton's tie featuring a golf motif is a pretty good indicator of what he plans to do more of in retirement, according to the Albany Democrat-Herald. The city administrator for the city of Harrisburg since 1999, Cleeton, 63, will hand over the keys to City Hall to his successor, Brian Latta at the end of the month. His wife, Judy, is the city manager of nearby Halsey and will also retire this summer. Both are excited to be able to spend more time in the Portland area with their three grandchildren, ages 18 months to six years. In fact, they are probably going to move from their home overlooking the Diamond Woods Golf Course to be closer to them. Cleeton grew up in Scappose, Portland and Eugene, graduating from South Eugene High in 1968 and earning a degree in political science from the University of Oregon in 1972. He already had an interest in city administration and earned a law degree from Lewis and Clark College in 1975. He had a private practice in the Beaverton area for eight years, with an emphasis on government issues, "but practicing law just wasn't my cup of tea." He jumped at the chance to become a code enforcement official for the city of Beaverton — population 90,000 — a job he enjoyed for 15 years. But when he and Judy's two children – Cameron and Rebecca — were grown, and the Harrisburg job opened up, they decided it was time for him to fulfill his long-time goal of running a city. Bruce and Judy met at a Junior Achievement seminar as seniors in high school — she's a North Eugene High grad — and married in 1971. She has a degree in personnel management and spent several years managing trucking companies in the Portland area. Shortly after Bruce took the job in Harrisburg, Judy took the city recorder's job in Halsey. Cleeton said his goal has been "to take one thing at a time. I look back and it's amazing how much change there has been in the community." Among the accomplishments during his tenure was securing a new City Hall without incurring debt by putting aside money over several years; developing a highly successful summer concert series and outdoor movies. Cleeton said watching a little girl standing on her father's toes and dancing is a lasting memory of how the concert series brings families and the community together. Cleeton said that at one point, Harrisburg was one of the fastest growing communities in Linn County. Cleeton admits his biggest frustration as boss is the inability to remove an estimated 1,000 truck loads of rock that washed ashore seven years ago and made the city's boat ramp virtually impossible to access. The new city manager will also have to deal with the city's well water issues. Currently, there are five wells, but three years ago, the city got permission to start drawing water from the Willamette River. The catch, developing a new water system will cost millions of dollars. Perhaps Cleeton should consider part-time work in journalism as his third career. For many years he has posted a Friday e-mail community bulletin. It's a mix of background information about city council doings, community events, and humor, much like the rural correspondents of Midwestern newspapers of the past. His most recent post including information about the overturning of a Planning Commission decision, a new business coming to town, a $5,000 donation for the public library, upcoming circus dates and a reminder to honor mothers on Mother's Day.
Munising, Michigan (population 2,329): After a decade of municipal service, Munising City Manager Doug Bovin recently announced he will retire, according to The Mining Journal. The city commission is beginning its work to find a replacement. Bovin, 68, has been city manager since June 2003. From 1998 to 2003, he served two terms as state representative for the 108th District, living in Gladstone. Bovin said he's decided to retire now for a variety of reasons, including family. Bovin said he's eyeing a fall retirement date to allow some time to complete ongoing projects, budget negotiations and work with whomever becomes the city manager to help make the transition as smooth as possible. Bovin said the city commission had a recent presentation from the Michigan Municipal League on the service it offers to locate city manager candidates. The commission has not decided yet how it will pursue the search, whether through the league or by other means. Bovin said some of the highlights of his tenure on the job have included creating "an attitude of progress," working with great people and committees and improving the city's infrastructure. In addition to an upgraded sewer system and many recently improved streets, the city now has new police and fire facilities and a new location for city hall.
Kingsley, Michigan (population 1,503): Kingsley's village manager of six years left the job to be closer to home, according to the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Adam Umbrasas recently took a job as village manager of downstate Three Oaks, where he spent most of his weekends with family, said Kingsley Village Clerk Karen Send. Mitchell Foster, a Michigander who is graduating with a master's degree in public administration from a college in Reno, Nev., will replace Umbrasas. He starts May 28. Umbrasas started in Kingsley straight out of college. Among his accomplishments were sewer and water main upgrades, street maintenance, oversight of the library, and upgrades to Brownson Memorial Park. He wanted visitors to take advantage of Kingsley's resources, and assisted in creating the village's website and social media presence. There are no major projects slated for this summer. Umbrasas thought it was a good time for a new manager to take over, Send said. She referred to Umbrasas as "hands-on." He was known to jump in a pit when a water main broke. Staffers are confident Foster can meet the public's needs.
Posted in Uncategorized	| Tagged California, Elgin, Floyd County, Fridley, Georgia, Harrisburg, Janesville, Kingsley, Manassas Park, Michigan, Minnesota, Munising, Oregon, St. Joseph, Texas, Virginia, Visalia, Wisconsin	| Leave a reply
Transitions: Guilford County, NC; Miramar, FL; Brunswick County, NC and more
Posted on March 31, 2013 by Salette Andrews
Guilford County, North Carolina (population 495,279): In the wee hours of the morning of Friday, March 22, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners voted to offer the job of Guilford County manager to Brunswick County Manager Marty Lawing, according to The Rhinoceros Times. Lawing, who will replace former Guilford County Manager Brenda Jones Fox, has agreed to accept the position and start working for Guilford County on Monday, May 6 at a salary of $183,000. The vote to hire Lawing was 6 to 3, split along racial lines, with the county's six white commissioners (five Republicans and one Democrat) voting to hire Lawing, and the board's three black commissioners (all Democrats) voting against the move. Those voting in favor of hiring Lawing were Chairman Linda Shaw and Commissioners Bill Bencini, Alan Branson, Kay Cashion, Hank Henning and Jeff Phillips, and those opposed were Commissioners Carolyn Coleman, Bruce Davis and Ray Trapp. The three commissioners who voted no said that they favored another candidate, a black man who has worked as a top local government administrator in other states, as their first choice. At the meeting, right before the vote, Trapp said he favored the other finalist over Lawing, but he said his decision had nothing to do with skin color but, instead, with qualifications. Davis said he felt the decision to hire Lawing was like Guilford County doing "Michael Jackson's moonwalk dance" because the county pretended to be moving forward on matters of diversity, but it was in reality moving backward. After the vote, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Linda Shaw said she was very pleased with Lawing's hiring and she said she felt Lawing and Guilford County would be a very good fit.
Miramar, Florida (population 124,302): Miramar City Manager Robert Payton abruptly resigned from his job Monday evening, according to the Miami Herald. Payton, 54, had been with the city for almost 37 years, starting as a garbage man and working his way up to city manager in 2001. During his tenure, Miramar became one of the fastest growing cities in Broward Country. But in 2010, he was embroiled in the public corruption case against former City Commissioner Fitzroy Salesman. Payton, who prosecutors said facilitated a corrupt deal on Salesman's behalf, never took any money and therefore was never charged in the crime. He eventually testified against Salesman. Deputy City Manager Wazir A. Ishmael has been appointed interim city manager.
Brunswick County, North Carolina (population 110,097): After 12 years as County Manager in Brunswick County, Marty Lawing has submitted his resignation, according to WECT. Lawing has accepted a job as County Manager in Guilford County. Reports say Lawing will make $183,000 in his new position, which will begin May 6th. His last day in Brunswick County is May 3. Commissioners in Guilford County voted 6-3 Thursday night to hire Lawing to replace Brenda Jones-Fox, who retired. Guilford County has a nine member commission, compared to the five members that serve in Brunswick County. No word on who will take over Lawing's position in Brunswick County on an interim basis.
St. Mary's County, Maryland (population 107,484): The St. Mary's County Commissioners have appointed Dr. Rebecca Bridgett as county administrator to replace the late County Administrator John Savich, according to The Bay Net. Bridgett is a former Charles County Administrator who was fired from the position on a 3-2 vote in June of last year. County Human Resources Director Sue Sabo has been acting county administrator since Savich's passing away. After her firing Bridgett was named acting director of the Human Resources and Administrative Services Division of the Charles County Sheriff's Office. Before being appointed county administrator in 2009, Dr. Bridget was director of the Charles County Department of Social Services for five years. Before that she was acting executive director of the Maryland Social Services Administration, Department of Human Resources where she provided key leadership on child welfare policy development and was responsible for a staff of 50, according to a press release from the Charles County Sheriff's Office. Bridgett's firing as Charles County administrator was controversial. After her firing Bridgett's attorney Roger Fink, a former county attorney, said the majority of the commissioners violated the notification provisions of her contract by failing to give her notice and time to resign rather than be fired. On Tuesday with the announcement of Bridgett's hiring as the new St. Mary's County Administrator, Commissioner Lawrence Jarboe (R: 3) said, "Charles County's loss will be our gain." He added that it was good to see that a woman like Bridgett competed with a number of applicants "and rose to the top on her qualifications." Dr. Bridget holds a Doctor of Education from NOVA Southeastern University and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Cambridge, Massachusetts (population 106,038): When this city's next manager takes over this summer, he will wade into a long, sticky controversy over the walloping salary that the post commands, according to The Boston Globe. Richard C. Rossi, a longtime deputy city manager, signed a three-year contract that guarantees a $330,000 annual salary, by far the highest paid to a Massachusetts municipal manager and nearly twice that of Mayor ­Thomas M. Menino of Boston. Rossi will make less than the outgoing city manager, Robert Healy, who makes $347,000 a year and is leaving the position at the end of June. Rossi says the demanding nature of the job justifies the high pay, but his compensation package has reignited criticism that taxpayers are funding a grossly inflated salary. Now, some members of the City Council, which voted 7 to 2 in February to approve Rossi's contract, concede that the salary is high and are weighing how to curb the manager's ballooning salary. Cambridge, a nationally recognized city of 105,000 people, is home to Harvard, MIT, and a booming biotech industry. It is hailed for its prized bond ratings and revenue-generating property taxes. For the past several years it has been on a building boom, with a new public safety building, youth and recreational ­facilities, and major renovations to its library and high school. Residents have shown their approval with high marks on city-conducted surveys. Rossi, who started collecting trash for the city some 42 years ago, became deputy in 1981 and is now paid $287,000. As chief executive, a role Rossi will assume July 1, he will set policies, submit annual budgets, and appoint heads of city ­departments and boards. In an interview last week, Rossi stressed his commitment to maintaining the city's fiscal strength and said he remains committed to delivering high-quality service and responsiveness to residents. Rossi also defended his salary, saying that running a city is demanding work that requires expertise in planning, personnel management, and economic development. Rossi's contract includes a city-owned car, cellphones, and tablet computers. He will have a life insurance policy of $120,000. The city has agreed to pay additional monthly retirement benefits. Mayor Henrietta Davis, who hails Rossi as a strong visionary and leader for the city, said that outgoing manager Healy, who lives in Lowell, stayed in the job for three decades and that ­annual pay increases pushed his high salary ever higher. ­Rossi, who lives in Watertown, has been the deputy since 1981. Both men have received cost of living and other salary adjustments over the years. In ­addition, Healy received a 3 percent salary increase on June 1, 2009 as well as on Jan. 1, 2010, 2011, and 2012, according to his contract. Minka vanBeuzekom, also on the City Council, noted that Rossi's salary is fixed for the three years of his contract and does not allow for the usual pay increases. For some residents, however, the high salary is unsettling. Some had hoped that when Healy announced his retirement, the council would use the opportunity to open the search outside City Hall. Frederic Turkington , president of the Massachusetts Municipal Management Association, said the administrator's salary is comparable to that of other chief executives in similarly sized cities in California, Arizona, and Texas. Unlike elected officials, who are usually underpaid, city managers are comparable to a superintendent of a school department or a general manager of a mass transit system who deserve higher pay, said Turkington. But even by those criteria, Rossi comes out on top. Beverly Scott, general manager of the MBTA, is paid $220,000 annually and the superintendent of Boston public schools makes $266,750.
College Station, Texas (population 95,142): The College Station City Council voted on Thursday to drop the "interim" designation for acting City Manager Frank Simpson, according to The Eagle. The council voted unanimously to place Simpson into the top spot following its executive session. The governing body decided to internally promote Simpson without a search for applicants, a move that prompted a round of applause from the council chamber. It is unclear how much Simpson will make in the position. City officials said the selection was made without determining the salary. They said it would likely be comparable to former City Manager David Neeley, who earned $171,000 annually, including benefits. Berry was noncommittal on when a contract would be finalized, but said she hoped to sit down with Simpson on Monday after the Good Friday holiday. Prior to taking over for Neeley on January 11, Simpson served as deputy city manager for two years. He came to College Station after working from 2004 to 2011 as city manager of Missouri City, a suburb of approximately 67,000 near Houston. Before that, he served for four years as city manager of Webster, a smaller suburb of Houston with a population of 10,000. Simpson holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in public administration from Texas A&M. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children. The council's decision came as a surprise to city staff, notably Simpson. He said he was excited about the new role.
Moore County, North Carolina (population 89,352): The Moore County Board of Commissioners has named Tax Administrator Wayne Vest the new county manager, according to The Pilot. Vest, who has served as interim county manager since December, was chosen during a closed session meeting prior to Tuesday's regular meeting of the board. The new manager said he foresaw "no big changes" in his new role. Vest initially took the place of the late Jim Westbrook, who died in an automobile accident on Nov. 27, the day after Westbrook began his duties as interim manager. The previous county manager, Cary McSwain, retired Nov. 30. Commissioners' Chairman Nick Picerno praised Vest as the person that board members hoped would accept the county manager position. Picerno said the board, convinced that Vest was the best choice for the position, never reached the interview stage with other applicants. Other board members congratulated Vest on his new position. Commissioner Jimmy Melton said that Vest's credentials reflect well on all county employees.
Rio Rancho, New Mexico (population 89,320): O'Fallon's (MO) former city administrator has found a new position as city manager for Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a suburb of Albuquerque, according to the O'FallonPatch. Riesberg was terminated from his position in O'Fallon on Jan. 10 by a vote of the O'Fallon City Council. He took over as O'Fallon city administrator in January 2010, having previously serviced as city manager for Sedalia, Missouri, since 2005. The Albuquerque Journal reported that Riesberg was the top candidate of 30 who applied for the position. He received a unanimous vote of approval from the Rio Rancho city council. Rio Rancho, with a population of 87,000 is comparable in size to O'Fallon, with a population of 80,000. Rio Rancho's previous city administrator retired "involuntarily" this past July, the Journal reported. Riesberg will see a $25,000 per year pay increase from his position in O'Fallon, a story in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Riesberg's salary in New Mexico will be $150,000 per year.
Cayuga County, New York (population 79,738): After spending nearly three years as Cayuga County administrator, Tom Squires is leaving to pursue new opportunities, according to The Auburn Citizen. Joseph Runkle, deputy chairman of the Legislature, said Squires told county department heads about his decision during a meeting Wednesday. Confirming his planned departure, Squires declined commenting on where he planned to work, simply stating "I have a fantastic opportunity." However, The Citizen has confirmed that Squires has accepted a job at Mohawk Valley Community College. In an internal email, dated Thursday, Feb. 21, President Randall VanWagoner told the Utica college's employees that Squires accepted his offer to serve as MVCC's new vice president for administrative services. Squires started working for the county in 2010, becoming the second person to serve as county administrator. He succeed Wayne Allen, who was fired without public explanation in 2009. Before working for Cayuga County, Squires served as Onondaga County's deputy comptroller for about 13 years. And according to the email, he has worked as an adjunct faculty member at Bryant-Stratton College for many years. Reflecting on his time in Cayuga County, Squires said the time he spent working as county administrator "has been the best" chapter in his career history. Although he said he was excited about his new job, he said he was sad to leave behind a great group of coworkers. Before April 12 — his last day as county administrator — Squires said he wants to help the county fix its emergency communications system and see the Legislature decide whether it should merge the Cayuga County Nursing Home with Mercy Health & Rehabilitation Center. In the meantime, Runkle said the Legislature plans to seek a successor. To put steam into the search process, he said the Legislature is currently working to form a search committee.
Manassas, Virginia (39,300): Manassas city manager John Budesky announced at Monday's city council meeting that he would resign from his post to take care of an ailing family member, according to the ManassasPatch. Budesky made the announcement just days after his one-year anniversary with the city. He told city council members Monday that his decision to leave wasn't an easy one. Budesky is relocating to Hanover to be near the sick family member and has accepted another position in the Richmond area. Budesky joined the city March 5, 2012 replacing interim city manager Patricia A. Weiler who was serving in place of former city manager Larry Hughes who retired. City Council stands behind Budesky's decision and will work with him over the next 90 days through the adoption of the budget and the Capital Improvement Plan. In the next few weeks the City Council will be exploring many options including interim possibilities as well as a long-term solution. The selection process will be thoughtful, yet expeditious when considering the next city manager, according to a release issued Tuesday afternoon by the city. In the last year, Budesky led the city through the development of a Vision and Priorities Implementation Plan, introduced an award-winning Capital Improvement Program in partnership with Manassas City Public Schools, built bridges with the business community and introduced a balanced budget consistent with the priorities of the city council, according to the release.
Merriville, Indiana (population 35,215): Town Administrator Howard Fink is leaving his position to take another job within the same field, according to the NW Times. Fink's last day with Merrillville will be April 9, he said. Fink has handled Merrillville's daily operations as town administrator. He said he is thankful for the opportunity he had to serve the community. Fink joined Merrillville about seven years ago. He started as the town's community development director in the Planning and Building Department. At the end of 2008, Fink's responsibilities increased when he became town administrator. Fink said there have been many "accomplishments and successes" during his service with the town. He said Merrillville's financial situation is among the areas in which he helped improve. Councilman Tom Goralczyk said Merrillville is losing a "valuable asset" with Fink's departure. Goralczyk said Fink attracted many developments to the town. Fink thinks Merrillville has shown it's "pro-economic development." He said it's been "a team effort" to bring businesses to the community. In addition to his colleagues in Merrillville, Fink said he will miss the "meaningful friendships" he made in the town and Northwest Indiana. Although he didn't live in Merrillville, Fink believes he was considered part of the community. The Town Council will meet in executive session next week to determine how it will proceed with filling the position, Goralczyk said.
Texarkana, Arkansas (population 30,177): Mayor Wayne Smith held a press conference Tuesday morning to announce the departure of City Manager Harold Boldt, according to KTBS. The decision to part ways was made Monday night during an executive session with the Board of Directors. City officials anticipate naming an interim city manager later this week. Mayor Smith says the interim city manager will not be an employee of Texarkana, Arkansas. When discussing the city manager's departure, Mayor Smith told reporters that management styles sometimes get stagnated. City officials will soon be deciding on a search committee for a new city manager. Boldt had been with the city since 2005. In a telephone interview, Boldt said he had resigned from office and was most proud of his accomplishments with the Crossroads Business Park. Mayor Smith says the terms of agreement between Board of Directors and the former City Manager are still being finalized.
Garden City, Michigan (population 27,408): The Garden City Council voted Monday evening to have Robert Muery as its new permanent city manager with a split vote, according to the Observer & Eccentric. Negotiations now must take place with Muery who has been the acting city manager, wants to remain its police chief. Councilwoman Patricia Squires made the motion which was supported by Councilwoman Jaylee Lynch to name Muery the city manager. Council members Joanne Dodge, Michael Jones, and Mayor Randy Walker supported Muery while David Fetter and Jim Kerwin voted no. Fetter had made a motion to support Jade Smith, the deputy mayor of Westland, but that motion went nowhere. Smith came in first overall with scores cast after interviews with seven candidates. Scott Randall of Arkansas came in third in the scores. There was also a concern expressed that the scores seemed manipulated by some council members to show unusually high or low scores for some candidates. It prompted Jones to suggest dismissing the highest and lowest scored candidates. What followed was a discussion by Fetter that Muery's holding both positions fell within the confines of the Incompatible Public Offices Act, PA 566 of 1978 which says that cities with less than 25,000 people can have these dual roles, if needed, but not those with a higher population. Garden City has 27,000 people. Fettger said that he wouldn't support something that he viewed as illegal — one position is subordinate to the other. Fetter said that the law has been upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court and upheld in an opinion by City Attorney Tim Cronin. There is a concern, if a potential future conflict. Lynch, however, said that there are other cases where a person held both dual jobs in Garden City that didn't violate the incompatibility act, although she agreed that there could come a time when there is a problem. She said that each must be considered individually on a case-by-case basis. Walker said that the council picks and chooses what attorney opinion it chooses to support. Likewise, Dodge said the information she has read "goes all over the place." Lynch further maintained that having Muery continue with both jobs meets Governor Rick Snyder's direction that municipalities find ways to consolidate to save money. Muery has served in both positions since Garden City Manager Darwin McClary was first suspended in August and then fired on Sept. 24. Kerwin said that Muery is a fine city manager but added that he didn't want to "violate the law." Muery said after the meeting that his interest in serving in both positions was to continue to save the city money. In the end, all council members congratulated Muery and wished him well. Resident Dick King said that it appears that the council violated the charter by unknowingly placing Muery in the dual position. Resident Ray Wiacek urged residents to view this meeting two or three times to see if they could make any sense out of it.
Temple Terrace, Florida (population 25,314): The City Council has hired the head of Tampa Bay Water as its new city manager, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Gerald Seeber got the nod after the council's first two picks for the job bowed out. He expects to start work in Temple Terrace at the end of April. Seeber has more than 25 years' experience as a city manager, including stints in New Port Richey and Oviedo, near Orlando. He said he had missed the pace and give-and-take of city government during his five years as general manager of Tampa Bay Water, supplier of wholesale water to governments in the Tampa Bay area. Temple Terrace Mayor Frank Chillura said he and the council are excited about Seeber. Seeber, 59, who will be paid $135,000 annually, replaces longtime city manager Kim Leinbach, who is retiring. The City Council voted to negotiate with Seeber when two candidates from Arizona dropped out. The first candidate, Jeff Mihelich, assistant city manager of Surprise, Ariz., told council members he had to decline the offer because his daughter wanted to finish high school in Arizona. The second candidate, Dana Hlavac, deputy county manager for Mohave County, Ariz., could not provide a commitment in the time period the council had set, Chillura said. Seeber said he was "perfectly okay" with being the third choice, adding that in the public search for city managers, such a situation is not unusual. Seeber served as city manager of Oviedo from 2004 to 2008 and New Port Richey from 1988 to 2004. Seeber served as village manager of Brown Deer, Wis., from 1982 to 1988. He graduated from Marquette University in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in political science and earned a postgraduate degree in public administration from Pennsylvania State University in 1978. The new manager said that while Temple Terrace, like all Florida cities, suffered from the recession, the city's tax base was strong. Seeber said he and his wife, Denise — parents of four grown children — are planning to put their Safety Harbor home on the market and move to Temple Terrace. He had informed Tampa Bay Water board members earlier this year that he was looking for a job in city government, he said, so this move was not a surprise to them. Chillura said Seeber's knowledge of water issues will be a boon to Temple Terrace, and he has a good working relationship with a number of officials in the Tampa Bay area.
Reading, Massachusetts (population 24,747): The Board of Selectmen, by unanimous vote, have named Assistant Town Manager Bob LeLacheur to be Reading's next town manager, according to the Boston Globe. LeLacheur, who was among three finalists for the position, will replace Peter I. Hechenbleikner when he retires in June after serving as town manager for 26 years. A screening committee, with help from a consultant, whittled a list of about 25 candidates down to the final three. The other finalists were Abington Town Manager John D'Agostino and Lunenberg Town Manager Kerry Speidel. LeLacheur has worked in Reading since 2005. Prior to that, he was a portfolio manager and partner for Merganser Capital Management Inc. in Cambridge and Boston. He also had worked on Wall Street, at Salomon Brothers and Lehman Brothers.
El Segundo, California (population 16,775): As homecomings go, the situation Greg Carpenter landed in a year ago wasn't particularly sweet, according to Easy Reader. Carpenter was named El Segundo's city manager while the city was in the midst of a dispute with its historical benefactor and biggest business – Chevron, which actually named the town in 1917 after it established its second refinery here. Perhaps even more significantly, the Great Recession had hit El Segundo particularly hard, forcing city government to reduce its size from 320 fulltime employees to 260 while still attempting to deliver similar service levels. Carpenter, who graduated from El Segundo High in the Class of '82, had never expected to return home as city manager. He'd left to go to college at Long Beach State University, where he studied Geography. He subsequently worked 18 years for the City of Long Beach – and two years in Lawndale – working his way up through the ranks to become planning manager. He loved the satisfaction of seeing projects come to fruition in the planning sphere and didn't have a particular ambition to go any higher in city government. In 1998, Carpenter achieved his dream of bringing his wife and two sons back to his hometown to live as he commuted to Long Beach. Then, in 2008, he was hired as planning manager in El Segundo. Last year, he became an obvious choice to step in and calm the turbulent waters that had overtaken the city in the wake of its economic troubles and dispute with Chevron. A year later, the city is emerging from its economic difficulties, and peace with Chevron has been established in a deal that is expected to net the city $134 million in additional taxes over the next 15 years. Broader forces are at work in both issues, of course, but Carpenter's steady hand has been a key part of the equation. Council person Marie Fellhauer said that Carpenter has been the right person at the right time and place for the city. His hometown roots, she said, have made for a seamless fit. A wall-sized overhead photo of the five square miles that is El Segundo hangs on the wall of the city manager's office. Carpenter seems to know every square inch. He points to one particular area with special fondness, the far west stretch of Hillcrest Street – his childhood home, which at that time was the far west of the city itself. Carpenter actually had some kind of a presentiment for his City Hall. As a high school senior, he took part in a career week in which students were assigned to a department head and had to write a staff report to present to a mock city council also comprised of students. Three decades later, the actual El Segundo City Council asked its planning director to take over as interim city manager after abruptly parting ways with former city manager Doug Willmore. As Carpenter took the helm, council members realized they'd found their city manager. Carpenter, who also obtained his master's in public administration at LBSU, is in some ways still a geographer at heart. One of the many things he loves about his job is that he's still learning things about the geography of El Segundo – for instance, the fact that Grand Avenue as it slopes towards the ocean is no longer El Segundo, but Los Angeles. He also had identified part of what makes the city, with its nighttime population of 16,700 residents and daytime workforce of roughly 70,000 people, so utterly unique. All four city borders – Chevron along the south, Hyperion and NRG along the west, LAX north, and the aerospace industry east – in some sense seal off the old-fashioned little town in the middle from the outside world. As city manager, what strikes Carpenter most, and what he is most grateful for, he said, are the people he is serving – not just the five direct bosses he has in the City Council, but the entire residential and business community. Part of the ethos of city hall in El Segundo has long been a certain no-nonsense practicality – the city was first in L.A. County awarded as the most business-friendly and has again been nominated for the award because of its relative lack of red tape and delay. A project that might take six months to be inspected and approved in Los Angeles is often handled in days in El Segundo. For Carpenter, this is a key part of the city's uniqueness, and it's reflective of his own character, as well: Both the city and its manager work with little fanfare but instead focus on moving forward. Fuentes said that the city's organization has come to reflect Carpenter, as well. She noted that the confidence he has inspired in employees, and the pride he takes in their work, has been a key factor in his success as city manager. Fellhauer said that Carpenter's calm, and care, have been especially valuable at city hall. Carpenter credits others for much of what has gone well. He said his wife of 25 years, Julie, who works professionally as a human resources director, makes his life easier by keeping the family's home front organized. And he credits the council, city employees, and the community itself. More than anything, as Carpenter feels a sense of gratitude for finding himself somewhat unexpectedly as the city manager of the town he loves best.
Hastings, Minnesota (population 22,359): In March of 1989, Dave Osberg took a new job. He had been working in St. James when the city administrator position in Hastings opened up, according to the Hastings Star Gazette. City Hall had a much different dynamic back then. There was significant unrest in the council prior to Osberg's hiring, and it continued in some measure into the first part of his career here. Anyone who came into his position would have had a tough time, Osberg said. On Friday, Osberg will put in his last day as Hastings City Administrator, two days past his 24-year anniversary. His next project will be leading staff in the City of Eagan as that city's administrator. The option to take the job in Eagan came at just the perfect time for Osberg to make the change. Back in 2000, Osberg applied for a position in Maplewood, but the timing just wasn't right. Now that all of his children are grown – his youngest recently started college – it's much easier for him to shift his career. Had Eagan's former administrator retired either a few years sooner or later, Osberg said he's not sure he would have made the move. Twenty-four years is a lot of time to rack up some significant accomplishments, and Osberg certainly has a few. His best memories, he said, are working with the people. Many of the people he's worked with over the years have become more than just co-workers or business contacts; they've become friends, he said, and he expects those friendships to continue even after he moves to Eagan. Osberg has helped the city on several key projects throughout the years. One of his early projects was working on moving City Hall from Sibley Street (in what is now the Onion Grille) to its current location along Fourth Street. It took two to three years to secure the building. Mid-way through his career here, Osberg worked on annexing about 160 acres of land that is now the Wallin Development in west Hastings. It took several people to make that project a reality, with lots of negotiations between homeowners and the Catholic church. Osberg remembers driving home after the project was completed and stopping at the intersection of 15th Street and General Sieben Drive. That day, he got out of his vehicle and walked into the freshly paved intersection, reflecting on the process that made that very road and realizing that he had helped make it happen. More recently, Osberg has been part of another "fun project," the acquisition of the former Hudson building in downtown Hastings. It's a great feeling to know he had something to do with that, Osberg said. While Osberg has had his share of good memories, the top staff position in the city isn't without challenges. The most difficult issues Osberg has had to deal with have been related to personnel. He can generally tell when one of those issues is at hand. Osberg keeps his office door open, and whenever someone closes it to talk to him, nine out of 10 times he can expect to be talking about people, he said. He recalled one of his earliest projects, back in 1989. Just 30 years old and new to Hastings and the job, he got thrown into the fire with a pair of development projects. The Housing and Redevelopment Authority (the predecessor of the Hastings Economic Development and Redevelopment Authority) was working on a possible hotel development and a senior housing development. While adjusting to his new position, Osberg had another detail to overcome. He had been hired in March of 1989, but didn't move his young family to Hastings until May. For about two months, he lived with friends and family in Hastings during the week and would go back home for the weekends. Through it all, though, he had the help of other staff here and the city council. When Osberg takes his new job in Eagan, it will be a return to the city. He worked for the city from 1981 to 1982 as an administrative and planning assistant. He remembers one of the projects he worked on back then, a request for proposals for architects interested in drafting plans for Eagan's new city hall. He worked with Eagan's former administrator, Tom Hedges, back then, and the two became good friends. Hedges became both a personal and professional mentor to Osberg. Osberg said he knew that if Hedges were to retire, it would mean he would have a major decision to make – either stay in Hastings or enter the running to replace Hedges. On Monday evening, Osberg sat at his final city council meeting. The city council made significant and sometimes lighthearted efforts to express its thanks and appreciation for Osberg's leadership over the years. Council members individually thanked him for his professionalism, positive attitude, respect for city staff, trustworthiness, commitment and dedication. Mayor Paul Hicks, elected to the council in 1990, has been a part of Hastings government almost as long as Osberg. Osberg gave an emotional response. When he started working for the City of Hastings, he said, he didn't know how welcoming the people here would be of him and his family, how many personal and professional growth opportunities there would be, how serious the community would be about electing committed officials and that he would be leading such dedicated employees. Had he known all that, he might have expected his stay here to be as long as it has been today. He specifically thanked four people. He thanked Hicks for his leadership, support, guidance and friendship. He thanked Ed Riveness, the only council member who was around when Osberg was hired, for taking a chance on the 30-year-old from St. James and for being such a rock on the council. He thanked Tom Montgomery, the staff member he's worked with the longest. And he thanked Melanie Mesko Lee for helping him overcome his mid-career struggles when she joined the city 14 years ago. Osberg also thanked his family – his wife, Laurie, and four children for their patience and support. He shared with the council and public a card his daughter sent before he accepted the position in Eagan. It read, "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore." Osberg expressed his heartfelt thanks, "and I wish all of you nothing but the best," he said.
Riverdale, Georgia (population 15,251): Longtime Riverdale City Manager Iris Jessie has resigned her position after almost nine years on the job, said officials, according to the Clayton News Daily. Mayor Dr. Evelyn Wynn-Dixon said Jessie resigned in "excellent standing" with the city. Wynn-Dixon said Jessie didn't give a reason for leaving. Jessie couldn't be reached for comment. No other members of Council could be reached for comment. Council approved hiring Jessie in May 2004. She was one of 63 people who applied for the job and one of only five interviewed by city officials. Jessie came to Riverdale from an assistant city manager's position in Norfolk, Va., a job she held for more than five years. Her three-year contract became effective June 7, 2004, and gave her an annual salary of $90,000 plus benefits. Riverdale paid up to $3,000 for her moving expenses, provided her with a $600 monthly car allowance and immediately gave her 20 days vacation. Wynn-Dixon was not mayor at the time but said Jessie became a mentor for her when she took office in 2008. Wynn-Dixon said Council will announce the interim city manager next week. Council meets in regular session April 8 but could hold a special called meeting if needed before then. She didn't say when the hunt would begin for a permanent city manager but pointed out that Jessie has left an enduring legacy.
Abington, Massachusetts (population 14,605): The Abington Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Thursday to hire Carver town administrator Richard J. LaFond as the new town manager effective July 1, pending successful contract negotiations, according to the Boston Globe. LaFond has been town administrator in Carver since 1996 and he served as executive secretary for Abington for two years prior to that. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Stonehill College, earned a master's in public administration from Suffolk University, and has worked in area town governments for the past 24 years. LaFond and his wife, Julie, have two teenage sons. After voting to hire LaFond, the board went into executive session to discuss negotiations. LaFond said he'd like to settle soon on a contract, then start building good will in Abington. Outgoing town manager John D'Agostino's tenure ends June 30.
Martinsville, Virginia (population 13,559): Martinsville City Council is promoting Leon Towarnicki to city manager, according to the Martinsville Bulletin. Following a closed session held to discuss a personnel matter, the council voted (unanimously) Tuesday night to promote Towarnicki to the city's top administrative post. Towarnicki has worked for the city since 1982. He was the city engineer before he was promoted to public works director two years later. He was named assistant city manager in 2007. He has held the title of interim city manager since former city manager Clarence Monday left in January 2012.
Kingsburg, California (population 11,537): Kingsburg City Manager Don Pauley announced his retirement, effective July 19, at the Kingsburg City Council meeting on March 20, according to The Kingsburg Recorder. Pauley has served 13 years as Kingsburg's city manager and has 37 years total of city management experience. In a letter to the City Council announcing his retirement, Pauley wrote that the time had come for him to retire. Pauley said he was grateful for the opportunities he has had to serve the citizens of the communities in which he has worked. He said he appreciated working with Kingsburg city employees and said they were "model employees and public servants." Pauley, and his wife, Peggy, plan to continue living in Kingsburg and "remain active and informed residents." Michelle Roman, mayor pro tem of Kingsburg, said she wishes Pauley "the best" on his retirement.
Castle Pines, Colorado (population 10,602): It was a short tenure for the latest Castle Pines city manager when Ted Soltis resigned after six months on the job, according to Our Colorado News. Soltis is the second full-time city manager to leave the City of Castle Pines since 2010, said Mayor Jeffrey Huff. The previous manager, James McGrady, served in the position from 2010 to 2012. McGrady served as an interim city manager in a role the city knew would be temporary, Huff said. Before McGrady, the city contracted its managers through a corporate agreement with CH2MHill, he said. Huff declined to say how many city managers have served in Castle Pines, but public records indicate at least four people have served since the city's 2008 incorporation. Soltis signed his contract with the city in August 2012 for a term that began in September 2012. He resigned Feb. 26, according to an announcement from city council. When he came to Castle Pines, Soltis received a relocation bonus of $12,500, according to his employment agreement. The agreement stipulates that if he leaves the city before one year, he will return his bonus on a pro rata basis at the rate of $1,041 per month for each month remaining in the first year of his employment. Soltis earned $8,500 per month and was required to give the city a 45-day notice before resigning. His departure came shortly after his six-month anniversary with the city, at which time he was to undergo a performance review, according to his contract. Three members of city council are assembling parameters for the process to select a new city manager, Huff said. The city does not expect to replace Soltis before August, Huff said. Staff members and residents are instructed to go to city council members with any concerns or questions.
D'Iberville, Mississippi (population 9,690): Michael Janus has been fired from his job as city manager in D'Iberville, according to the Mississippi Business Journal. The mayor and board of aldermen took the action Wednesday in an ongoing dispute over an agreement that Janus signed with a Pascagoula consulting firm. At a meeting last month, Janus said he never notified the city council about that deal, and he never got city approval. City officials tell The Sun Herald Janus will be paid through July 1 when his contract expires. Sharron Perkins will continue as D'Iberville's interim city manager. Janus took a leave of absence in February when the contract issue arose. Although the council members hadn't voted on the contract with Maxwell-Walker Consultants, they agreed to pay the firm a $180,000 finder's fee for obtaining a $3 million BP grant to cover some of the city's cost for the Ocean Expo aquarium. Mayor Rusty Quave said the FBI has joined the investigation and has been to City Hall. Last week, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality said the city has 30 days to return $1.4 million of that $3 million BP grant and may require repayment of $945,000 more if the city can't provide additional documentation. Quave said he and other city officials met with MDEQ this week in Jackson, but wouldn't disclose the details of the meeting. In an email to the Sun Herald following Wednesday's meeting, Janus said the council had authorized him to enter into contracts.
Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia (population 9,342): One hour after Clay Kissner was sworn in as Fort Oglethorpe's new city councilman, the council forced the resignation of seasoned City Manager Ron Goulart, according to the Times Free Press. Moments later the council named Harold Silcox, a former City Council member, as interim city manager. Within 30 minutes, Silcox fired two longtime department heads. Goulart, who was given four months severance pay, and Police Chief David Eubanks and Public Works Director Jeff Long, who were not given severance pay, say politics was at work. Even one councilman claims Friday afternoon's speedy house cleaning will set the city back for years. For the last five months, the council has been two members short and has deadlocked on key issues such as Sunday alcohol sales. Former Councilman Eddie Stinnett died of a heart attack in October, and Charles Sharrock was ousted the same month after sexual harassment claims. His seat hasn't been filled. In a special election Tuesday, voters elected Kissner to fill Stinnett's seat. He was appointed at 2 p.m. Friday, an hour before council members held the special meeting. The meeting — which was noted on a bulletin board but not announced in a public notice to the media like normal practice — was called by Mayor Lynn Long. Goulart announced his resignation when the council emerged from an executive session. Lynn Long then made a motion for Silcox, who was sitting in the audience, to fill Goulart's position. Gray was the only council member to object, and when he tried to have an open discussion in the meeting about both Goulart's resignation and Silcox's appointment, he was shushed. The councilmen quickly emptied the room after the meeting, some denying requests for comment on their decision. When asked whether Goulart was forced to resign, Lynn Long repeated: "That was his decision. That was his decision." But Goulart said that on Thursday he was confronted by the mayor, who came to his office and told him to resign or be fired. After Friday's meeting, the newly appointed interim city manager took Eubanks and Jeff Long into a City Hall office. First Silcox fired Eubanks and then Jeff Long — breaking policy in the city's charter. City policy states that when a city employee is fired, officials must give the reasons in writing along with instruction that the employee has 15 days to appeal. Neither Long nor Eubanks said they were given a reason in writing. Jeff Long, who is also a Catoosa County Commission member, said he was told the reason he was fired was for making a motion on the county panel that hurt Fort Oglethorpe. Earlier this month, Catoosa County officials asked local lawmakers for legislation to deannex 42 acres of prime real estate on Battlefield Parkway. If passed, Fort Oglethorpe would lose all property and sales tax revenue. When Silcox was questioned about who was in charge of the police force, he mistakenly said "Eubanks." Then corrected himself and said talk to the mayor. Before City Hall was closed for the weekend, city employees sat frozen in their chairs with shocked faces. Police officers stood outside the meeting hall with arms crossed. A woman walked up to Goulart and hugged him, saying, "I'm terribly, terribly sorry for what they've done to you."
Augusta, Kansas (population 9,265): At the conclusion of Monday night's City Council agenda and taking care of business items, Augusta Mayor Kristey Williams called for a 10 minute executive session concerning a non-elected personnel matter, according to the Augusta Gazette. Following the executive session, City Manager Bill Keefer announced his resignation. Keefer's letter did not include any specific reason for his decision, but at the Jan. 7th council meeting there was controversy concerning the renewal of his contract. After attempting unsuccessfully to negotiate the city manager's contract in a public meeting, the governing body finally agreed to extend Bill Keefer's contract for one year including a two percent merit pay increase. Following two noisy executive sessions, Councilor Matt Childers made a motion to extend Keefer's contract for employment for two years including the two percent merit pay increase. Mike Rawlings seconded the motion that failed 2-5 with Mike Martin, Matt Malone, Mike Huddleston, Sue Jones, and Mike Wallace voting against renewing the contract. At that point, Wallace made a motion that attempted to amend the contract between Keefer and the city. Childers interjected and asked for legal counsel from City Attorney David All. Childers was concerned about benefits being taken out of the contract. All explained that the question was over a clause that protects the city manager from termination by paying his salary and medical insurance for a year should he be terminated or if his contract is not renewed. If Keefer chose to, he would be able to work as an "at will" employee. After lengthy discussion Mayor Kristey Williams called for a vote on the motion to extend the contract. It passed 5-2 with Huddleston and Martin voting against renewing the contract. Missing council members at Monday night's meeting were Mike Huddleston, Mike Wallace, and Matt Malone.
Park City, Utah (population 7,822): Diane Foster, who has served as the interim Park City manager since last fall, on Monday was named to the permanent position, completing a five-year climb up the ranks at the Marsac Building, according to The Park Record. Foster had been the deputy city manager and was previously the environmental sustainability manager. She joined City Hall in 2008 in the environmental position. A prepared statement issued by City Hall indicated the Park City Council will vote on an employment contract on Thursday. Foster will succeed Tom Bakaly. He was the city manager between 2003 and his departure in 2012 to become the top municipal staffer in Hermosa Beach, Calif. Mayor Dana Williams and the City Council conducted a national search for a city manager in 2012, but it did not result in a hiring. The elected officials then opted to conduct an internal search prior to a second national one if it was needed. An undisclosed number of staffers applied for the position.
LaFayette, Georgia (population 7,111): LaFayette city manager Frank Etheridge is being let go, following an executive session of the city council Monday, March 25, according to CatWalkChatt. The council met Monday night to go over the official audit for the city's budget year 2012. The audit, performed as in years prior by CPA Lloyd Williamson of Williamson & Co. CPA in Cartersville, examined the city's finances from October 2011 to September 2012. The audit showed that the city had lost less revenue in budget year 2012 than in any of the four years prior. Etheridge was hired by the city of LaFayette in October 2011. He replaced the previously-ousted manager Johnny Arnold. As of this afternoon, neither mayor Neal Florence nor any of the city council members who were reached would give a public statement on Etheridge. Council member Wayne Swanson said officials had been advised by the city attorney not to make any comments on the matter.
Union Gap, Washington (population 6,145): New Union Gap City Manager Rod Otterness will make $90,000 a year, according to city officials. The contract was approved March 11 — well ahead of schedule — when all eight council members voted in favor of the contract, according to the Yakima Herald. City officials previously said they expected contract negotiations to go on until the end of March, but council member Dan Vanover and Mayor Roger Wentz said Otterness was more than agreeable in negotiations. Otterness, 56, who is finishing up his time as city manager in International Falls, Minn., will start his new position April 8. He said he wants to jump right into the job, but tempered any lofty expectations for the immediate future. The contract includes $5,000 for the cost of a 1,600-mile move to Central Washington, half of which Otterness would have to pay back if he leaves before three years on the job. Wentz said he has already seen good chemistry develop between Otterness and other city officials in their limited meetings. He said he believes Otterness will lead by example, as shown by his eagerness to keep contract negotiations simple. Interim city manager Chris Jensen, who doubled as the city's Fire Department chief, had a contract that paid $110,000 per year. Jensen will relinquish his city manager duties when Otterness comes in but will remain as fire chief. Finalizing the contract was the last step in transitioning to a council-manager form of government after voters did away with the city's strong mayor system in a proposition on the November ballot. The measure was approved only a year after the former Mayor Jim Lemon had been re-elected, but it was a year in which Lemon's office was dogged by controversy over staff turnover and accusations of abuse. Lemon faces a reckless driving charge in a trial set for April 17. The charge stems from a November incident in which he is accused of peeling out of a parking lot and spraying a city public works employee with gravel following an argument. Otterness spent the last eight years as city manager for International Falls, but had been looking to move on for a while. Since December, he was a finalist for city manager positions in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Thief River Falls, Minn. Prior to that, he worked for city government in Buhl, Minn., and as an attorney for Grand Rapids and Hibbing, Minn. He also served as an analyst with Minnesota's Department of Education. Otterness earned bachelor's degrees in economics and international relations from the University of Minnesota, and a law degree in 1985 from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minn.
Marion, Virginia (population 5,936): As John Clark prepares to retire, Bill Rush is stepping back into public administration, according to SW VA Today. For the next two weeks, the two men are working side by side as the town managers of Marion. At the end of its meeting Monday night, the Marion Town Council approved Bill Rush as the new town manager, pending a background check. The position is not Rush's first in such a leadership position in Smyth County. He served as Chilhowie's town manager for about five years. He stepped down in November 2006 to pursue a business venture oriented toward private economic development. Marion Mayor David Helms said the council received 25 applications and interviewed five candidates before deciding on Rush. Much of the meeting though was directed toward recognizing Clark, who will be retiring at month's end. Monday's meeting was his last council session after more than 12 years of serving Marion as its manager. When he was offered the Marion position, Clark said it had been a long-term personal goal to return as the town manager after his first job, which was a temporary position with the town of Marion. Suzanne Jennings, chair of the council's personnel committee, praised Clark, citing his loyalty, dependability and honesty. Other council members echoed her comments. The council noted that Clark had earned his salary many times over in the grants and other funding he achieved for Marion. Helms remembered that the council told Clark when he was hired that its members would like him to bring home a Virginia Municipal League achievement award. He earned two for the town. But, Clark's quality that the mayor most heralded was his honesty and willingness to admit his mistakes. Clark responded with appreciation for the council's support. That statement echoed his concluding remarks in his final town manager's report to council. Clark, a native of the Broadford community, graduated from Rich Valley High School and holds a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech. He joined Marion's staff in November 2000 after serving four years as the town manager of Saltville. Like Rush, he had previously served as the town manager of Chilhowie and held the same post for the towns of Tazewell and Independence. He had also worked in public administration with the Mt. Rogers Planning District Commission.
Belding, Michigan (population 5,764): Members of the Belding City Council officially accepted a city manager contract with Margaret "Meg" Mullendore on Monday evening at the Pere Marquette Depot in Belding, according to The Daily News. In a unanimous vote, council members approved the two-year contract at the special meeting. According to the contract, Mullendore will receive a starting salary of $72,500 and upon receiving a "satisfactory" evaluation rating at six months she will receive an additional $2,500 to the salary. Council members also agreed on a 45 cents per mile allowance for city business purposes, two weeks vacation, life insurance, health insurance, retirement, sick and holiday pay, and maximum moving expenses of $3,500 with proof of receipts. Mullendore did not counter the contract that was originally sent to her following the March 19 meeting. Former city Manager Randy DeBruine was hired with a salary of $75,000 in 2004 and resigned in December 2012 with a salary of $93,000 on a contract that extended through 2014. Mullendore will officially start the position on April 8. Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Belding said was pleased to see the process to find a new city manager come to a close within the allotted 90 days for the process to be carried out. All council members said they were "satisfied" with the decision, siting various reasons ranging from potential savings of money to the city to the qualities that Mullendore will bring with her when she starts the position. Councilman Thomas Jones thanked City Clerk Kareen Thomas and Finance Director/Interim City Manager Sam Andres for their work during during the absence of a city manager.
Aurora, Nebraska (population 4,453): The Aurora City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to offer the job of city administrator to Marlan Ferguson of Grand Island, according to the Aurora News-Register. Three finalists interviewed over the last two days, and the council deliberated for approximately 30 minutes in executive session before announcing its decision. Contract negotiations will now begin with Ferguson in a process Mayor Marlin Seeman said he hopes will be finalized within the next few weeks.
Brandon, Vermont (population 3,966): Town officials have a lot of work ahead to find a replacement for Town Manager Keith Arlund, whose resignation is effective this weekend, according to the Rutland Herald. Arlund submitted his letter of resignation to the Select Board during an executive session March 11, taking board members by surprise. Friday morning, on his last day in the office, Arlund confirmed he is leaving, but did not comment as to the reasons why. He just said "it was time." Selectman Devon Fuller, the board chairman, said Friday the board was not expecting Arlund's resignation two weeks ago. Fuller said Arlund cited an opportunity in the private sector as the reason for leaving his post. The board will meet with representatives from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns to discuss what services and options are available for the town manager search. The board will also consider an interim town manager. Arlund was hired in 2004 after serving as interim town manager for four months while town officials looked to replace former town manager Michael Balch. At the time of his hiring, Arlund said there was a lot happening in Brandon and that he saw a lot of opportunity for him there. Prior to serving in Brandon, Arlund held the same post in Ludlow until 2002. He is a graduate of Vermont Law School and served six years in the military. Upcoming projects for the new town manager will include the reconstruction of Route 7, the water main project in the downtown area and the ongoing recovery from Tropical Storm Irene.
Yuma, Colorado (population 3,544): Sid Fleming is on the job, according to The Yuma Pioneer. Following an executive session during the Yuma City Council's regular meeting on March 19, the council voted 6-0 to approve a contract between the city and Fleming as the new city manager. It then unanimously passed another motion appointing Fleming as the city manager with a starting annual salary of $70,000. Fleming was on the job Monday, providing a seamless transition as former city manager Doug Sanderson's last day was Friday. He spent his first couple of days on the job visiting with employees and council members, and trying to meet others in the community. Though he comes from the Wichita, Kansas, area, small-town living is nothing new to Fleming, who grew up in Coldwater, Kansas, a town of about 900 near Greenburg. Fleming is married, and he and wife Sarah have three children, Thomas, who is 10 and currently in fourth grade, daughter Elsie, who is 8 and in second grade, and daughter Luna, who will turn 2 in about two weeks. They currently have to deal with being apart during the week, as Fleming's family will stay in the Wichita area until after the school year is over. Fleming said modern technology is helping the family stay in contact. Fleming was working as an intern with the City of Newton in Kansas, a position he has been in just since January, before coming to Yuma. Before that, he spent a little more than two years as the interim division manager for sewage treatment, for the City of Wichita. He also was the biosolids supervisor, beginning in January 2007, and keeping that job while adding the sewage treatment manager position to his duties in September 2010. He left the City of Wichita in December 2012. Fleming first began working for Wichita's municipal government in January 2004 as the industrial sampler. Fleming does have a varied background, including spending one school year as a chemistry and physics teacher at Lyons High School in Lyons, Kansas. His education includes receiving a degree in Biology/Chemistry from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas, in May 1996, attending the Kansas University School of Medicine for 1-1/2 years, studying aboard for one semester in Bulgaria, and receiving a Masters of Public Administration in December 2011 from Wichita State University. It was while working toward his Master's, Fleming said, that he decided he wanted to take a shot at city administration. For now, he is on a crash course of learning about the people and the city's infrastructure.
Wells, Minnesota (population 2,336): The city administrator of Wells has been fired after a yet-unspecified complaint was lodged against him, according to The Free Press. The City Council met in closed session this week and unanimously decided to end the six-month tenure of Steve Bloom, effectively immediately. An employee in City Hall Thursday said further details will be revealed pending the return of the vacationing city attorney. City officials Thursday declined to comment on the nature of the complaint. Bloom came to the job with more than two decades of experience in city and county government and also was a teacher for six years. He was due for a six-month job review and had been working under probationary status. Bloom could not be reached for comment.
Monticello, Utah (population 1,981): Greg Westfall is the new Monticello City Manger, according to the San Juan Record. Westfall, who has worked for the city for the past three years, assumes the city manger position on April 1. He replaces Kelly Pehrson, who has been hired as the chief administrative officer for San Juan County. The hiring decision was announced at a special meeting of the city council on March 18. Westfall is currently the assistant city manager and recreation director. He was hired three years ago as recreation director and quickly moved into the assistant city manager position when Pehrson was hired as manager. Westfall is excited for the opportunity to be city manager. He mentioned a number of projects that will keep the city busy in the future, including the annexation of the Rocky Mountain Power substation, construction of the Big Four tractor building, metering of the secondary water system, construction of a community center / golf clubhouse, and continuing development of the city airport.
Westfall has a dual bachelors degree in business management and entrepreneurship from Colorado Mesa University and a masters degree in public management from Ashland University. He is married to Jennifer Redd Westfall and has two children.
Conway, Massachusetts (population 1,897): After 11 weeks without one, Conway has found its new town administrator, according to The Recorder. The development director of Community Health Center of Franklin County, Amanda Majewski-Winn, 27, of Bernardston will serve as the town's most long-awaited employee. She'll start the $50,000 salaried 37.5 hours a week job on April 8. The Selectboard unanimously voted to hire Majewski-Winn Monday night. Majewski-Winn sees her new job as a chance to work in the public sector again. She previously worked as the town administrative assistant for Pelham. From 2009 to 2011, she worked as the executive assistant for Greenfield Mayor William Martin — experience that attracted the search committee. After working for the mayor, Majewski-Winn tried her hand in the nonprofit sector at the Community Health Center based in Greenfield. The hiring of Majewski-Winn is a fresh start for Conway. On Jan. 7, the former town administrator, Edward MacDonald, resigned 47 days after starting the job. The Selectboard later discovered MacDonald had never quit his job as administrator in Chester — a promise he made when he accepted the position in the fall. In February, MacDonald slapped his former bosses with a lawsuit alleging they violated the state Open Meeting law and demanding a payout of $14,301 in wages and benefits MacDonald claims he's owed. The Attorney General's office is still investigating the allegation. Unlike her predecessor, Majewski-Winn said the Conway job will be her only job. Majewski-Winn is a 2006 graduate of Greenfield Community College. Originally of Sunderland, Majewski-Winn attended Frontier Regional School. She is married to Greenfield Fire Chief Michael Winn. From the start of the search process, Majewski-Winn was a favorite among the search committe. Majewski-Winn beat 17 applicants for the job, five of whom were interviewed by two search committee sub-committees. The search committee — made up of Rose, Selectmen Rick Bean, Jim Moore and John O'Rourke, Finance Committee member Andrea Llamas and Town Treasurer Jan Warner — split into two groups and held two preliminary screening interviews. The committee created sub-groups to avoid having to publicly announce candidate names. Majewski-Winn will have to hit the ground running. The town has been without any administrative help for two months in the height of the budget season. She also comes in the middle of the town's big debate on the best use of the Rose property off Shelburne Falls Road — a fate that has perplexed the town since it received it in 2006. The town will also move to hire an administrative aide to handle clerical duties. The town has held off on the position until it hired an administrator.
La Pine, Oregon (population 1,681): Just a little over a year ago, La Pine hired Steve Hasson as its first city manager, according to KTVZ. But now he's leaving for another adventure. Hasson told his staff about his resignation last week: He'll be going to Portland to take care of a farm his wife inherited. He'll stay for about another month, though, and that's because Hasson says he still has a few tasks to finish up before he leaves. Among the many accomplishments Hasson is proud of: He helped the city assume sewer and water operations,and also helped transfer land use authority from the county and get grants for sidewalks to boost economic development. He said the city received $1 million last year that it can use for any number of things. In his last days on the job, Hasson will advise the budget committee on its budget, finalize several contracts and engage the community on its development. City staff say they have appreciated the work he's done. And while his successor has not been chosen, Hasson wants to assure the community he's leaving them in good hands. So what's next for Hasson, besides taking care of the farm? Hasson would like to teach at Portland State University. He's currently in the process of getting a Ph.D. — and he's also writing a mystery novel.
Prairie City, Iowa (population 1,665): Prairie City is pleased to welcome Emmanuel (Manny) Toribio as our new City Administrator, according to the city's web site. Manny comes to us after a six year position as a Planning Technician for the City of Des Moines. Having received his Bachelor's degree in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State in 2006 and his Master's Degree in Public Administration from Drake in 2010, Manny is ready to utilize his education and experience in his new role with the City of Prairie City. Manny grew up in West Liberty, IA, graduating from high school there in 2002. Having grown up in a community similar to Prairie City, with the long history and strong community spirit, Manny was excited when the City Administrator position became available. He looks forward to building strong relationships with members of the community, council and staff. Manny and his wife, Emily, currently live in Ankeny, IA, but plan to relocate to Prairie City soon. In his spare time he enjoys biking, hiking, skiing, traveling and walking his two dogs, Tubby and Toddles. Manny also finds time to give back to the community with Animal Lifeline of Iowa, Salisbury House Young Professionals and Toastmasters. Stop in and welcome Manny to Prairie City.
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Transitions: Hennepin County, MN; Charlotte, NC; Lucas County, OH
Madison County, New York (population 73,355): The Madison County Board of Supervisors officially approved Administrative Assistant Mark Scimone's appointment to the county's top non-elected post at its meeting Tuesday, according to The Oneida Daily Dispatch. Scimone will become the county's second administrator, a position that was created and filled for the first time by Paul Miller, who retired in 2010. Since Miller's retirement, Scimone has acted as the county's administrative assistant, promoted from his role as research and legislative affairs coordinator. Scimone currently makes $95,000 a year; in his new role he will earn $105,000. On Tuesday, several supervisors objected to the salary set for the position, saying it was too high. Lincoln Supervisor Darrin Ball expressed interested in requiring pay to be based on performance while Lebanon Supervisor Jim Goldstein said the salary was simply too much. Nelson Supervisor Roger Bradstreet disagreed, saying the figure was based on comparisons to what similar officials made in municipalities with similar attributes as Madison County. Besides the disapproval by Goldstein, Ball and Oneida Supervisor Lewis Carinci, the rest of the board was in favor of Scimone's appointment. As administrator, Scimone will oversee the administration of county government, advise supervisors on the development of policies and legislation, evaluate proposals brought to the board, develop plans for capital projects, oversee the annual review of employee performances and act as the county's chief spokesperson in union negotiations, among other responsibilities. Two local laws proposed at Tuesday's meeting addressed the position's duties and qualifications, requiring the appointee to have a Master's degree in public administration or a related field and five years of experience or a Bachelor's degree in the same field and at least seven years of experience. Scimone has a Bachelor's degree in human resource management. He was first employed by the county as a personnel technician and then later promoted to assistant personnel officer in a five-year stint at the county that ended in 2004 when he left for a job at SUNY Upstate as a personnel recruiter. From there he was the assistant director of human resources at SUNY ESF before returning to the county in 2009 as a legislative affairs coordinator. Also proposed in a local law amendment was an extension of the positions term from two years to four. After two silent public hearings, those changes were approved by the board. The board also gave the go-ahead to create an executive assistant to the county administrator. The starting salary for the position was established as no more than $43,213. Scimone will appoint someone to fill the position and Tuesday said he had not selected anyone yet. The position will be advertised and an open recruitment will be held, he said.
New Braunfels, Texas (population 59,590): New Braunfels City Council voted late last night to sever ties with City Manager Michael Morrison, effectively firing him from the role he has served for the last 7 years, according to KGNB. The 5 to 2 vote came after a lengthy Executive Session discussion behind closed doors that totaled just over 3 hours in length where Council was discussing Morrison's annual performance review. Council reconvened in Open Session and first voted to give City Attorney Val Acevedo a 3% pay raise before voting to sever ties with City Manager Morrison. Mayor Gale Pospisil and Dist. 4 Councilwoman Sandy Nolte were the two "no" votes, while Dist. 1's Richard Zapata, Dist. 2's Mark Goodner, Dist. 3's Ron Reaves, Dist. 5's Bryan Miranda, and Dist. 6's Steven Digges voted in favor of firing Morrison. The decision is effective immediately, but Council made no announcement about a plan to name an interim City Manager. And there was no discussion from the dais as to why Council decided to take immediate action on Morrison's employment with the city. But KGNB News had a chance to speak to several Council members following the March 11 vote, and they gave us an inkling of what the discussion was like behind closed doors. Again, no formal action was taken March 11 to name an interim City Manager, and so it's unclear exactly who is running the city's operations today. And it's still to be determined on how Council plans to begin the process of looking for a new City Manager.
Walton County, Florida (population 55,793): Walton County commissioners have agreed to hire Robert Halfhill as their new county administrator, according to the NWF Daily News. Acting County Attorney Mark Davis announced at Tuesday's County Commission meeting that an employment package had been presented to Halfhill and that he had accepted a salary of $114,000. Commissioners then voted unanimously to bring him in. His predecessor Greg Kisela was paid $132,000. Halfhill's first day on the job will be March 1. His most recent job was as public works director for Charlotte County, where he had served since 2009. According to his resume, he oversaw 140 people and controlled a $36 million budget. Halfhill also had a brief stint as interim county administrator in Escambia County from Dec. 4, 2001, to April 21, 2002. According to the Pensacola Independent News, Halfhill served between Tom Forrest, who was run off by state senator turned County Commissioner W.C. Childers, and George Touart, who started the job just days before Childers was arrested and booted from the board. Halfhill also was a Marine for 14 years.
Colton, California (population 52,940): After only three years as city manager, Rod Foster is heading to Laguna Niguel, according to the Contra Costa Times. Foster has accepted the position as city manager of the affluent Orange County city. Foster leaves behind a stellar track record in the working-class city of 53,000. He is credited with successfully negotiating labor contracts with unions, securing federal funding for essential services and consolidating city departments, which brought the city's general fund reserves from a paltry $50,000 in 2009 to $2.3 million today. Foster's last day with Colton is March 14. The City Council will begin discussing the appointment of an interim city manager at its next meeting on Tuesday and should have a successor announced on March 5, Foster said. Laguna Niguel City Manager Tim Casey said the city initially had 65 applicants. That number dwindled to 14, then to eight, then to three, he said.Casey said Foster was the only candidate who requested a complete tour of the city. He mined information from the city's website and closely monitored council meetings to stay attuned to the city's goings-on. The Laguna Niguel City Council approved Foster's employment contract on Wednesday. It calls for an annual salary of $220,000, a 6 percent increase over what Foster is making in Colton. Foster said he will be making the move from Upland, where he resides with his family, to Laguna Niguel in the summer. He said he wants to wait until his 12-year-old son completes the school year. Colton Councilman Frank Gonzales credited Foster with quickly reversing a fiscal trajectory that was on a course to bankruptcy. Foster successfully negotiated concessions with the city's police union totaling $1 million, and he got firefighters to agree to concessions that saved the city more than $1 million last year. In a city where an old guard stands close watch of local government and has doled out its fair share of criticism in years past, Foster entered Colton with an established sense of character, integrity and honesty that quickly earned him the respect and loyalty of many. Aside from the fact that Foster was willing to work more for less, Gary Grossich, a member of Colton First, a grassroots political and fiscal watchdog group, said he was especially impressed with how Foster continued improving the city's financial condition even after losing $5 million in annual revenue when the city's utility tax sunsetted in 2011.
Brookhaven, Georgia (population 49,000): The city of Brookhaven has finally chosen its city manager, according to Neighborhood Newspapers. Not new to the city's happenings, Marie Garrett was appointed to stay on as the city manager for Brookhaven. She has been in the role on an interim basis since the municipality's inception in December.
Muskegon, Michigan (population 38,401): Muskegon City Manager Bryon Mazade recently told city commissioners that he will retire on Oct. 1 after nearly 20 years of leading the community's largest city, according to MLive. Mazade, 54, will take an early retirement and step down as the second longest tenured city manager in Muskegon's history. He announced his retirement now to give city commissioners plenty of time to fill the city manager position, according to an email. The Muskegon City Commission is wasting no time in beginning to discuss the process it will go through select Mazade's successor. Commissioners have a special work session Thursday, Feb. 28, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the selection of Muskegon's next city manager, Mayor Steve Gawron said. Gawron said that he has seen few "apply himself with such great dedication to the city." Mazade was appointed the city's 14th city manager in November 1994 to replace David Wendtland, who left as city manager after four and a half years to become the president of the Muskegon Economic Growth Alliance – at the time Muskegon County's umbrella economic development agency. Only George Liddle — who was city manager for part of a year in 1942 and from 1946 through 1967 — served the office longer than Mazade. Mazade took over Muskegon's city manager form of local government after being assistant city manager for about six years. A native of Laketon Township and a Reeths-Puffer High School graduate, Mazade had been city manager of Coopersville and Newaygo prior to coming to Muskegon. He has a bachelor's degree in recreation administration and master's degree in public administration, both from Michigan State University. His first job out of college was as the recreation director in Coopersville, but he quickly learned he wanted a career in public administration. The early Mazade years at Muskegon City Hall were punctuated with political divisions on the city commission. Mazade was caught in the cross-fire as a Mayor Fred Nielsen-led commission tried to fire Mazade in mid-2001. But an outpouring of support from other municipal officials and community leaders forced Mazade's commission opponents to back down. After 2001 and under the commission leadership of former Mayor Steve Warmington, Mazade enjoyed strong support from the city commission. Gawron and the current city commission will search for and select Muskegon's next city manager. The selection process and final decision will come in a year in which Gawron's office and two at-large commissioner seats are up for re-election with voters deciding those important elected positions Nov. 5. Thursday's Muskegon City Commission work session on discussing how the city will find its next city manager will be in the commission chamber at City Hall, 933 Terrace St. The commission allows for public comment at its meetings.
Columbia, Tennessee (population 34,915): Anthony R. Massey will return to the town he once called home to serve as its chief executive officer, according to The Daily Herald. Columbia City Council unanimously approved hiring the former Columbia resident as city manager February 13 during a special called meeting at City Hall. Massey was the Lee County, Ga., administrator — a position he held since 2011, according to the Lee County website. Massey previously served as city manager of Frankfort, Ky.; Bristol, Tenn.; Savannah, Tenn.; and assistant city manager of Kingsport, Tenn. Columbia Mayor Dean Dickey said he was pleased with the decision and looks forward to working with Massey. Dickey said Massey graduated from Central High School then went on to Columbia State Community College where he obtained an associate degree in law. From there, Massey went to The University of Tennessee where he received his bachelor's degree in political science and master's in public administration. Under a contract approved by the city council, Massey will receive a base bi-weekly salary of $4,807.70 — which equates to $125,000 annually. He will also get $277 for a motor vehicle allowance and $35 for a cell phone, both payable bi-weekly. Until Massey purchases a house in Columbia, he will receive a $340 bi-weekly allowance for temporary housing for up to six months, according to the contract. The city will also pay for Massey's relocation expenses, which includes moving his personal property to Columbia, the contract states. Dickey said Massey's start date should be March 15, but he may choose to start on March 25.
La Vergne, Tennessee (population 33,389): The La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted March 5 to appoint Bruce Richardson as the city administrator, according to The Murfreesboro Post. His appointment as city administrator of La Vergne is effective immediately. He has been working for the city since June of 1993. Originally, Richardson was hired as the assistant to the city administrator, but he was transferred to the Finance Department to work as the accounts payable clerk. After working in the Finance Department for almost a year, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen appointed him as the city recorder in August 1994. Richardson graduated in February as a certified municipal finance officer through a series of 11 courses offered by the Tennessee Office of the Comptroller and the Municipal Technical Advisory Service. He is a member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Tennessee Association of Municipal Clerks and Recorders, Tennessee City Management Association and the Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association. Originally from Plymouth, Vt., Richardson moved to Murfreesboro in 1984 and attended Middle Tennessee Christian School. He is a graduate of Harding University, where he graduated in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in business management. Richardson and his wife, Becky, have four children. Richardson is city administrator of La Vergne, effective immediately.
Poughkeepsie, New York (population 32,790): Camilo Bunyi will serve as the City of Poughkeepsie's next city administrator, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik, a Republican, cast the tie-breaking vote Tuesday night to confirm Bunyi, whom he appointed at the end of January. The Common Council vote split 4-4 to confirm Bunyi, who has been the city's finance commissioner since 2008. Tkazyik then immediately voted to confirm him. Voting for Bunyi were Democrats Gwen Johnson, Joseph Rich and Ann Perry and Republican Thomas Parisi. Voting against him were Democrats Robert Mallory, who is council chairman, Nina Boyd and Mary Solomon and Republican Paul Herman.
Alabaster, Alabama (population 30,799): Alabaster City Administrator George Henry is now the city's manager, and Marsha Massey is the city's treasurer after the Alabaster City Council voted during a March 4 meeting to make several changes to the city's staffing layout, according to the Shelby County Reporter. During the meeting, the council voted to separate the city clerk and treasurer positions into two city employees, created a city manager position and filled the city manager and treasurer positions. Massey previously served as both the Alabaster city clerk and treasurer. The council also voted to authorize Mayor Marty Handlon to hire a city finance director to help handle the city's finances. Handlon previously said having a treasurer and finance director will help ensure a "system of checks and balances" when dealing with the city's finances. Handlon also said separating the financial responsibilities into two positions will help offset the increase in work caused by the city's growth over the past several years. Alabaster began advertising the finance director position opening on March 5. The staffing changes, which Handlon proposed shortly after taking office in November 2012, came after a few months of discussions by the City Council. Henry was appointed as city manager through 2016. Beginning in 2016, each City Council will have the authority to remove the city manager or reappoint the individual to another four-year term. The council also could agree to leave the city manager position vacant. Once appointed to a four-year term, it takes a two-thirds vote of the City Council to remove the individual mid-term. As city manager, Henry has the authority to appoint and remove city employees and appointees, and can make purchases up to $100 without council approval. Henry also will provide monthly financial reports to the council and help construct the city's budget each year. Council members previously said Henry performed many of the actions of a city manager while he was city administrator. The council also named Henry as the acting city clerk. Council members previously said naming him acting clerk will allow the city to conduct a "trial run" with the city clerk and city manager positions combined before formally voting on the matter.
Wayne County, Georgia (population 30,327): It's official—Jason Tinsley will be the new Wayne County administrator, according to The Press-Sentinel. The Wayne County Board of Commissioners had announced Tinsley as the sole finalist for the position two weeks ago but, under state law, had to wait until this week to formally hire him. Tinsley and his wife, Mary Lynn, were at a called meeting of the commissioners Thursday morning to hear the 4-0 vote. (The fifth commissioner, Jerry "Shag" Wright, arrived at the county offices late but stressed that, had he been present, he would also have voted for Tinsley.) "He's very sharp," Board Chair James "Boot" Thomas said of Tinsley after the meeting. Tinsley has served as the assistant county manager and finance director of Habersham County since 2006. For the past two years, he has also served as a consultant on local-government budgeting and finance for the the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government, helping to develop on-line and distance-learning courses. Tinsley will start March 18 as an "at-will" employee of the Board of Commissioners. According to his contract, he will make $88,000 a year and receive $600 a month for travel and $50 a month for cell-phone use. Interim Administrator Nancy Jones said that she would stay on for a brief "transitional period" to help train Tinsley in his new duties. According to Tinsley, he has been carefully looking for "a great community" for "that next step" in his career, limiting his search to the type of community where he'd be comfortable "living for a long time." He stressed that he sees taking the top administrative position here as a "long-term" move. Citing the "vital rec program" and "good school system," Tinsley added, "Wayne County has all the amenities we're accustomed to." Tinsley—who will be moving here with his wife and three children—indicated that they plan to take part in community activities. Tinsley has worked as a recreation-ball coach and a Boy Scout leader, and his wife has been active in parent-teacher organizations.
Lee County, Georgia (population 28,575): Lee County commissioners are moving quickly to find an interim county administrator following the announcement Thursday that Tony Massey will be leaving to take a job in Tennessee, according to the Albany Herald. Massey confirmed that he has given his 30-day notice and will become city manager in Columbia, Tenn., his hometown. The town of approximately 35,000 residents is located about 45 miles south of Nashville. Massey, who has been county administrator in Lee County for about two years, said Columbia's city government has about 400 employees. Massey, who was city manager in Frankfort, Ky., for seven years before coming to Lee County, said the move also allows him and his wife to be closer to a daughter who attends the University of Kentucky. Massey's final day on duty in Lee County is March 15. Rick Muggridge, chairman of the Lee County Commission, said Massey's announcement was not a surprise to commissioners, who discussed the matter during an executive session. Muggridge said no timetable has been set but that it may take six months or more to find a replacement. Job postings have already been placed on the county's website, with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association. Regarding the interim replacement, Muggridge said he has already talked with qualified potential interim managers, including Bill Sawyer, Jack Krakeel and Lynn Taylor. Sawyer was county manager in Macon County and has experience in economic development work. He lives in Schley County and does interim work and special projects for governments. Krakeel does consulting work on public safety issues nationwide and retired a few years ago as county administrator in Fayette County. Lynn Taylor was county manager in Sumter County before her retirement. She also has worked in Athens-Clarke County. Lee County commissioners are tentatively set to meet with Sawyer at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Taylor at 4 p.m. Wednesday and Krakeel at 3 p.m. Feb. 22. Muggridge said no one within the county government had applied so far, but that current employees who do would be given full consideration.
Milford, Massachusetts (population 26,799): Richard Villani will become the new town administrator for Milford, according to the MilfordPatch. Selectmen voted 3-0 to appoint Villani as the town administrator, with a contract to be negotiated over the next several days. He will replace longtime administrator Louis Celozzi, who is retiring. Villani, 55, a Milford resident, is an attorney with a private practice in town. He was among five individuals interviewed for the position. The motion to appoint him as town administrator was made by Selectman Dino DeBartolomeis, who said he appreciated the strengths of all of the candidates, but felt Villani was the best choice. Brian Murray, the current chairman, seconded the motion, and also spoke to his qualifiations. Before the discussion and vote on Villani, Murray had advocated for Barbara Auger, the town treasurer of 16 years. But no other member made a motion to select her, and DeBartolomeis was then recognized, and spoke for Villani. The other finalists were: Noel Bon Tempo, a government teacher at Milford High School, and an attorney; William Kingkade Jr., a manager with the MBTA, and John D'Agostino, the town manager of Abington, a town on the South Shore. Villani has been a trustee of the Geriatric Authority since 1993. Prior to opening his business, he was a partner at Consigli, Brucato and Villani, and an associate attorney before that. From 1988 to 2003 he was an instructor at Newbury College in Brookline. He obtained his law degree at Suffolk University in Boston, and his bachelor of arts degree at Worcester State College (now University.) Villani was interviewed by the three selectmen on Feb. 12. The broadcast is now available on the Milford TV YouTube channel. In his interview, Villani emphasized his analytical and communications skills, and knowledge of the town. Last month, prior to the interviews of all finalists, DeBartolomeis had publicly disclosed that he and Villani are second cousins. He said the relationship was not one that required him to abstain from discussion or a vote, but said he wanted to disclose it publicly "so there is not perception of a conflict." In his interview, Villani was asked how he would communicate with the Board of Selectmen. He described his communications style as "open, honest, direct. If you need information from me, I want to know. [The] Chairman will set the tone, and I respect that. [But] I feel if I get information, all of you get it at the same time." He also said he wanted to know if the board felt he was doing something wrong. Negotiations will determine what Villani is paid, and when he begins. The Board had set the salary range when advertising the position as between $90,000 and $125,000.
Kingman, Arizona (population 26,068): City Manager Jack Kramer will resign effective July 1, according to the Daily Miner. No official announcement has been made, but according to Mayor John Salem, the longtime city employee said he would leave his post a couple of days ago. Salem had high praise for Kramer, who moved to Kingman in 1977. Kramer was attending meetings in Phoenix and was not available for comment. Salem said he expects the City Council to look at current employees and outside city government to find a suitable replacement. He would not speculate on what the City Council might do, but he expects the search to involve looking for someone with a background that meets the city's needs in either economic development or administrative leadership. Salem said it's possible the city might hire a third-party headhunting firm, but the cost might be prohibitive. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns, he said, has a more affordable program. According to his bio on the city's website, Kramer began working for the city in 1979 when he was hired by the water department. He rose through the ranks. In 1985 he was promoted to Utilities superintendent and in 1996 to Public Works director. In 2007 he was named interim city manger – while still holding down his Public Works job. He was handed the job full-time the following year.
Milton, Massachusetts (population 26,062): Annemarie Fagan, interim town administrator, was chosen from a field of four candidates Thursday night to be Milton's newest town administrator, according to Boston.com. Fagan, who has 18 years of experience working for the Town of Milton, has been the interim town administrator since the Selectmen voted not to renew Kevin Mearn's contract seven months ago. Fagan said after Mearn's termination, she made a point to meet with staff members and rebuild morale. Fagan has been Milton's assistant town administrator since 2000. Prior to that she served four years as the Executive Secretary to the Board of Selectmen and a year as principal clerk of the Park Department. Fagan was the only Milton resident of the four remaining finalists and she was also the only candidate without a college degree or an advanced public administration education.
Inkster, Michigan (population 25,369): Inkster officials plan to launch a search for a new city manager after terminating Ron Wolkowicz from the position March 7 at a special City Council meeting, according to the Detroit Free Press. Councilmen Marcus Hendricks and Michael Canty, who both sided with the majority in the 4-1 vote, cited the city's finances as a top concern. Hendricks said the city is expected to end the current fiscal year with a deficit in the ballpark of $750,000. The city's annual budget is about $13 million, Canty said. Canty said Wolkowicz is still the director of the city's Parks and Recreation and Public Services departments. Officials are looking to appointment someone who currently works for the city to fill the manager position on an interim basis. Wolkowicz did not immediately return messages left seeking comment. Canty said Wolkowicz became the city's manager about a year ago. He previously served in that position on an interim basis, he said.
Woodstock, Illinois (population 24,785): The office soon to be vacated by City Manager Tim Clifton will be filled by his right-hand man, according to the Northwest Herald. Roscoe Stelford, who has served for 13 years as Woodstock's finance director and treasurer and more recently as its deputy city manager, will take over the city manager role on May 1. The City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to appoint Stelford to the position Clifton has held the past 20 years. Stelford, 45, graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in accounting and finance, and is a certified public accountant. He worked at the Government Finance Officers Association in Chicago for nine years before landing a job as Woodstock's finance director. The city has received the GFOA's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting in 12 of 13 years since Stelford was hired. Stelford will earn $140,000 a year. Sager cited Stelford's intimate knowledge of and responsibility toward the city's finances, as well as his ability to relay complex information in a simple manner, as contributing factors toward his hiring. He also praised Stelford's creative outreach. Councilman Mike Turner provided the council's lone "no" vote. He declined to comment after the meeting because the matter was about personnel. Councilwoman Maureen Larson said Stelford has accomplished a lot in his current position. Tuesday's announcement ends a process that began in September and included 41 applicants. The search committee – which the city chose to assemble internally – narrowed that list to 10 applicants, interviewing those selections before forwarding four finalists to the city council. The city council conducted further interviews and background checks before cutting the list to two and approving Stelford's contract Tuesday night. Stelford will take office on the first day of the new fiscal year. Clifton's last day is April 30.
Reading, Massachusetts (population 24,747): Reading's new town manager is a familiar face here: Robert LeLacheur, according to the ReadingPatch. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously March 12 to name LeLacheur, the town's assistant town manager and finance director for the last seven years, the town's top administrator after an hour of discussion about the three finalists for the post. The board interviewed the three on March 5. The board focused March 12 on two of the three finalists: LeLacheur and Kerry Speidel, town manager of Lunenburg since 2007. Board members deemed the third finalist, outgoing Abington Town Manager John D'Agostino, too strong an agent for change here. D'Agostino described himself as a "change agent." LeLacheur, who worked in the private sector — the finance industry, before moving into town government – a nontraditional career path, according to the selectmen, knows the community and could make improvements more quickly than a new-to-Reading manager, the selectmen said. Just because LeLacheur comes from "inside" the town and town government doesn't mean he won't have outside-the-box ideas, one selectman said in response to a resident who urged, by email, that the selectmen choose Speidel. LeLacheur himself and several selectmen emphasized that LeLacheur is not Peter Hechenbleikner, Reading's first and only town manager, who will retire on June 1 after 26 years at the town helm. Selectman James Bonazoli said he would hate to see Reading lose LeLacheur if he did not become town manager. Selectmen Rick Schubert, Ben Tafoya and Bonazoli started the meeting "on the fence" between LeLacheur and Speidel. Selectmen John Arena and Stephen Goldy said they would select LeLacheur. Speidel has worked in municipal government for about 20 years, she told the selectmen, half in management and half in finance. She has experience with regionalizing some town services. She attended a selectmen's meeting before the finalists were interviewed. The selectmen said they did some follow-up research on the finalists after last week's interviews, calling and talking with people in the finalists' home communities. The selectmen also voted March 12 to form a two-member subcommittee of Arena and Tafoya to negotiate a job contract with LeLacheur. An audience of five people attended the meeting, whose only agenda item was a new town manager. Among them were Town Moderator Alan Foulds; School Committee Chairman Karen Janowski; Town Meeting members Phil Rushworth, who is also executive director of RCTV and Steve Crook; and one resident with no connection to town governance. Foulds had attended the meeting when Hechenbleikner was appointed, he told Patch. Rushworth wanted "to watch the Board of Selectmen make history" by choosing the town's next manager. The selectmen said they received little input on the selection of a new town manager.
Hastings, Minnesota (population 22,359): Hastings City Administrator Dave Osberg submitted his letter of resignation to the city council on February 19, according to the Hastings Star Gazette. His last day is scheduled to be Friday, March 22. Osberg is leaving the City of Hastings to become the city administrator for the City of Eagan. He is set to begin his new job there March 25. The administrative committee of the Hastings City Council scheduled a meeting at 7 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, to discuss the vacancy Osberg will leave behind. The administrative committee includes Anthony Alongi, Danna Elling Schultz and Ed Riveness.
Lexington, North Carolina (population 18,912): Alan Carson, 51, will be Lexington's new city manager effective Feb. 25 when his swearing-in will take place, according to The Dispatch. The interim city manager and former assistant city manager was awarded the position on Monday at the conclusion of the Lexington City Council meeting. When John Gray, former city manager announced his retirement in September, the city council decided to have an open process, searching for the best candidate for the vacant position. The field of more than 80 applicants was narrowed to five and then four were brought in for face-to-face interviews. Carson has held the position of assistant city manager/human resources director since 2003. Before this time he worked in human resources, customer service, but was hired in 1989 as the city's first Utilities Marketing Manager. Carson received his bachelor's of science degree from Radford University in Virginia, where he majored in business, according to a press release from city hall. Carson is a 1993 graduate of Leadership Davidson County, a 1998 graduate of the 170-hour municipal administration course from the Institute of Government and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a 2007 graduate of the Public Executive Leadership Academy at the Institute of Government. Carson also currently serves on several boards throughout the city and county, such as the Lexington Tourism Board, the J. Smith Young YMCA Board of Directors and the Wake Forest Baptist Health—Lexington Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors. As part of his interview, Carson said he wanted to see the city get involved in the council's goals. The next few months will be filled with drafting the coming year's fiscal budget along with incorporating the final draft of the city goals, once they are approved. Council approved the city manager's salary as $120,000.
Longmeadow, Massachusetts (population 15,784): At its meeting Monday evening, February 11, 2013, the Longmeadow Select Board voted to appoint Stephen Crane as Town Manager, effective April 2, 2013, for a term ending June 30, 2016, at a salary of $105,000, according to the town's web site. Mr. Crane, currently the City Administrator in Lancaster, Wisconsin, since 2009, had previously signed his contract, and the Select Board signed the contract following its vote. Mr. Crane has a Master of Public Administration degree from The George Washington University. His previous experience was with the cities of Lowell and Worcester.
Jasper County, Georgia (population 13,885): The Board of Commissioners (BOC) for Jasper County voted to hire Lorri Smith as County Manager at their regular meeting February 19, according to The Monticello News. Ms. Smith has been working in the role as interim county manager since Greg Wood was fired in August. This decision came after a public hearing was held and the ordinance passed that had previously stated that the county manager must reside in Jasper County. This requirement was removed in order for the vote to be taken in the regular meeting. In the public hearing, Skip Nowetner commented that "although I have nothing against Lorri, I don't understand why we can not find someone qualified for this position in this county. We've had three previous managers from out of town and you see where that got us. I just can't believe that there is not one local, especially with one of the highest unemployment rates." After the public hearing ended, and old business complete, a motion was made and seconded. Before the vote, Commissioner Bruce Henry said, "I am strongly in favor of keeping our positions in Jasper County, the only exception being with Lorri Smith. I've been watching her work for the previous year and a half and she does a great job." Before the vote was called, County Attorney, Jim Alexander told the board that this could be changed back at any time if that was their wish.
Portage, Wisconsin (population 10,336): Interim City Administrator Shawn Murphy has been asked to stay on in the permanent role, according to the Portage Daily Register. A contract agreement between the Portage Common Council and Murphy still needs to be signed, but both sides are in the process of working out the details. Murphy was chosen out of a pool of more than 30 applicants and was one of four final candidates who were invited to the city for extensive interviews over the weekend. Jahn said that the city's Human Resources Committee, which handled the interview process, prioritized financial accountability, human resources and economic development expertise.
Hanson, Massachusetts (population 10,209): Town Administrator Rene Read plans to become town manager in his hometown of Duxbury after the completion of Hanson's May 6 annual Town Meeting, according to the Boston Globe. The Duxbury Board of Selectmen on Feb. 25 appointed Read to succeed Richard MacDonald. Stephen Amico, chairman of the Hanson Board of Selectmen, said Read's departure will be "a big loss" for Hanson, where he has been town administrator since December 2009. Amico said selectmen plan to form a search committee for a new town administrator. "I've had a terrific time working here in Hanson," Read said, expressing his gratitude to selectmen, other officials, and staffers "in helping me accomplish all the work we were able to achieve in the three years I was here."
Georgetown, South Carolina (population 9,138): Chris Carter spent the week of February 18 continuing to learn more about the City of Georgetown, meeting more of the city staff and planning for his first Georgetown City Council meeting which was held February 21, according to the Georgetown Times. Carter is Georgetown's new administrator, replacing Chris Eldridge who left last May when he was hired as Horry County administrator. He assumed his new role on Feb. 7 and spent the first week being shown the ropes by interim Administrator Carey Smith whose final day was Feb. 14. Carter is the sixth full-time administrator in the city's history. The first administrator, who began in October 1977, was David Treme. The others have been Mitchell Sizemore, Boyd Johnson, Steve Thomas and Eldridge. There have been two interim administrators — Miles Hadley and Smith. In an interview with The Georgetown Times this week, Carter said he has found a place to live — an apartment on Highmarket Street. But he will likely find a bigger place when his wife, Joan, joins him this summer. She is a teacher at Flat Rock Middle School in North Carolina. She has agreed to complete the current year and then hopes to find a teaching job in Georgetown County. Carter has nearly 25 years of experience in government work. He began in 1988 as the town administrator in North Wilkesboro, N.C., a position he held for six years. Carter said that era of his career provided him with experience working with different types of businesses because it was the national headquarters of both the Lowe's Corp. and the bank that is today Wells Fargo. In 1994, Carter accepted the position as the administrator in Hendersonville, N.C. He said his time there provided him with experience in two key areas that will help him in Georgetown. He said Hendersonville, like Georgetown, is a "full-service city," meaning it has city-owned electric, water and sewer service. It also has a thriving historic district. One year after being hired in Hendersonville, Carter helped create the city's first historic preservation plan. He said during his tenure, several locations were placed on the National Register of Historic Places and some were designated as National Landmarks. He said, like Georgetown, the city had periodic tours of historic homes. He said Hendersonville also gave him the opportunity to oversee police and fire departments that, at the time, were similar in size as the ones in Georgetown. In 2008, Carter left Hendersonville and spent about a year as the interim administrator in Sylva, N.C. His final job before moving to Georgetown was the administrator for the town of Williston, S.C., a position he held for a little more than two years. Carter said in his brief time in Georgetown, he has discovered it has some great attributes. He said he would like to see Georgetown become a more popular stop for boaters. Carter said even though he has been in Georgetown for only two weeks, he has given a lot of thought to areas he hopes to help improve. Carter said during his walks downtown and his tours of other parts of the city, he has noticed the number of vacant buildings. He said it is his goal to not only get the buildings occupied but to have a waiting list of businesses wanting to come into the city. Carter said he hopes he will be able to stay in Georgetown until he retires.
Rincon, Georgia (population 8,906): Rincon City Council members unanimously chose Wesley Corbitt as city manager March 11, according to the Savannah Morning News. Corbitt, of Guyton, was appointed as interim city manager after the resignation of Michael Phillips in August 2011. He was finance director for Rincon before that. The other two finalists for the job were Karen Degges of Baldwin, Ga., and MarRonde A. Lumpkin-Lotson of Savannah. Degges is the former city administrator of Baldwin, Ga., which is northeast of Gainesville, Ga. Lumpkin-Lotson is administrator for international affairs and governmental relations for the City of Savannah. Phillips was hired in April 2009 to replace Donald Toms, who resigned in December 2008. Phillips was the city's fourth city manager since 2006.
Old Orchard Beach, Maine (population 8,624): A split Town Council voted March 5 to terminate the contract of Town Manager Mark Pearson, according to the Portland Press Herald. Before the vote, they debated for hours as residents and town employees alternately defended the manager and cheered the councilors who want to fire him. Councilors Linda Mailhot, Dana Furtado, Laura Bolduc and Sharri MacDonald voted to terminate the contract. Councilors Michael Coleman, Robin Dayton and Robert Quinn voted against the termination. In December, Pearson was asked by MacDonald, the council chairwoman, to resign. That touched off heated debates and revealed tension between the manager and a deeply divided Town Council. Pearson, who started his job in February 2012, is the town's fourth manager since 2003. Mailhot made the motion to terminate his contract effective April 3, "given the fact the town manager filed a lawsuit against the town." Pearson filed a request in York County Superior Court this week seeking a declaratory judgment regarding the council's authority to override Pearson's decision not to renew the contract of Public Works Director Bill Robertson. The council voted two weeks ago to rescind the letter notifying Robertson of Pearson's decision not to renew the contract – a decision that Pearson's attorney said the council does not have the authority to make. In the complaint, Pearson cites the town charter, which says the town manager is the chief executive and administrative officer so Town Council confirmation is not required for the non-renewal of an employee's contract. Pearson asked the court for a declaration "that under the town charter the plaintiff has the sole authority to make the decision not to renew an employee contract." The agenda for Tuesday's meeting included an executive session to discuss "personnel matters" related to the town manager. Before the vote on the executive session, Pearson presented MacDonald with a written request that any discussion of his job be held in public. The closed session did not occur because three councilors voted against it. Five votes are needed to move into executive session. Mailhot then made a motion to allow councilors to notify Pearson of their intention to terminate his contract for no cause effective April 3 and have him take paid leave with full benefits for the next month. Mailhot, who said she was "dismayed and disheartened" by the council's rejection of the executive session, said she would not publicly discuss personnel issues related to Pearson. Councilors Coleman, Quinn and Dayton questioned whether it was legal to consider a motion that wasn't on the agenda. Dayton repeatedly asked fellow councilors for the reason behind the move to oust Pearson, only to be met by "stone silence." Town attorney Rob Crawford said he believed it was appropriate for the council to consider the motion and to allow public comment on the issue. Before deciding to allow public comment, the council voted 4-3 to move for a vote without public comment. During the public comment session, opinions were split on Pearson's employment. The town attorney read the council rules about public participation after comments were yelled from the audience. One man stood near the council holding a sign that read "Recall 4," referring to councilors MacDonald, Mailhot, Bolduc and Furtado. Neal Weinstein, a town resident and the attorney who represents Robertson, questioned Pearson's loyalty to Old Orchard Beach because he doesn't live in town and ran for a school board position in New Hampshire. Kathy Smith, a town employee in the codes department, spoke in defense of the town manager, whom she called "great" for Old Orchard Beach. She said she is tired of the ongoing debate about Pearson.
Doraville, Georgia (population 8,330): Doraville has hired a city administrator from Minnesota to serve as its first city manager since it switched to a strong mayor form of government in 1981, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. City voters agreed to switch back to having a professional manager handle day-to-day operations last year. Shawn Gillen, who has served as city manager in the Minnesota town of Grand Rapids since 2007, will begin his new duties April 17. He will earn $113,000 annually in the role. Gillen holds a master's degree in public administration and doctorate in public finance from the University of Kansas. He served as an assistant finance professor at the university before his job in Grand Rapids, which with 10,000 residents is about the same size as Doraville. Mayor Donna Pittman, who had been working full-time, will assume a part-time role when Gillen begins work.
Flushing, Michigan (population 8,316): Flushing officials have said they will explore all options in finding a replacement after Dennis Bow announced his retirement as city manager, according to Michigan Live. Clerk/Treasurer Nancy Parks has been named interim city manager following more than 16 years of service by Bow who retired with little fanfare. It's been "about two years," joked Bow of previously announcing his retirement before formally stepping down in late January. With no current major projects taking place in the city, Flushing Mayor George Kozan said "Dennis left the city in very good shape." Bow came to Flushing after holding previous city manager positions in Keego Harbor and Pickney, as well as working as a public accountant for 15 years. He said one of his biggest accomplishments was "seeing the city proceed smoothly at both the political and economic level. It was quite difficult the first few years I was there." As economic turbulence began to grow in recent years, Bow said he was worried about the impact on the city as staffing levels were eventually reduced in every department. Bow may not be riding off into the sunset entirely, though, as he's shared some interest in coming back on a part-time basis as the city makes a decision on what direction its leaders would like to take the position in the future.
Spotswood, New Jersey (population 8,301): One of the first steps for a newly hired administrator is to become familiar with the community, according to the Sentinel. For Dawn McDonald, who was appointed borough business administrator in Spotswood last month, familiarity is not an issue, as she served as Spotswood's deputy borough clerk from 2006 to 2009. But that's not to say she thinks serving in her new capacity will be easy, especially with budget season already under way. The transition into the position can be difficult just due to the nature of being the administrator for a municipality. Like the borough's new mayor, Nicholas Poliseno, McDonald, who most recently served as administrator for the borough of Interlaken, Monmouth County, said one of her major priorities is addressing the Spotswood EMS building and the water treatment facility, which were both destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. McDonald said she wants to bring fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency to Spotswood while streamlining communication with municipal employees. She also identified the long-sought dredging of Lake DeVoe as another significant initiative. Noting the great amount of community involvement among residents of Spotswood, she said she is very happy to be back in the borough. She said she looks forward to helping out beyond the scope of her requirements. Acknowledging that she is serving in a new capacity, she said her previous experience with the borough will be helpful, and noted that her mentor, Patricia DeStefano, is still the municipal clerk. McDonald said one of her strengths is in grant writing. In addition to her previous service in Spotswood, McDonald has municipal experience serving a variety of roles in East Brunswick, where she worked in the public works and parks and recreation departments. She said her time in Spotswood, East Brunswick and Interlaken has helped to equip her for her new role.
Elwood City, Pennsylvania (population 7,921): The time was right. For Dom Viccari, that was reason enough to support his resignation from the post as Ellwood City's manager, according to the New Castle News. Viccari, now 80, has been working since he was 12. That's when he began working in Steve Rubino's The Korner Store at Franklin and Second streets. At the time, Rubino was a borough councilman. Viccari joked that his initiation into public service began then. He also has served on borough council as well as various committees. But now, he said, it's time to allow a younger person to take over. He told council he will continue to work with the members "on the many exciting projects we've been developing and discussing over the past months." He added he will stay on the job until council has appointed his successor and to help with his or her orientation "to make the transition as smooth as possible." Among the projects is the downtown renewal, which council moved forward by approving the demolition of a structure at 629-631 Lawrence Ave. The work will be completed by Unis Demolition for $38,000. Council also approved the purchase of 312-214 Lawrence Ave. for $59,000. Another project Viccari plans to continue working on after his retirement is the reforestation of Ewing Park and other improvements there.
Signal Mountain, Tennessee (population 7,575): The Town of Signal Mountain reported today that Honna Rogers has announced her intent to resign her position as town manager, according to the Times Free Press. In an email, Rogers said that she has a young child and wants to spend more time with her family. Mayor Bill Lusk wished Rogers and her family well. Rogers said she will stay on the job until the budget for the coming fiscal year is drafted. Meanwhile, Lusk said the council will begin looking for her replacement.
Guadalupe, California (population 7,132): The paths of three men converged February 12 in Guadalupe, and together they are changing the direction the city is going, according to the Lompoc Record. City Council members officially hired Andrew Carter as the new city administrator and Gary Hoving as the interim public safety director. Members also thanked Tim Ness for his work as interim city administrator. Ness, who was Santa Maria city manager for 16 years, stepped in to run Guadalupe six months ago, when Regan Candelario resigned in August to accept a similar position in Fortuna, Calif. In those six months, Ness developed a budget reduction plan, instituted new employee policies, worked to jumpstart the DJ Farms residential and commercial development, and helped the council identify Carter and Hoving as the city's next full-time administrators. Mayor Frances Romero and former mayor Lupe Alvarez both thanked Ness for his work. Alvarez said Ness was worth more than 10 times the $38.47 per hour he was paid. Romero said the hirings proved critics wrong who say Guadalupe can't get quality employees because of the low salaries it offers. Carter's annual salary will be $80,028, the same amount Candelario earned in his last year with the city. Carter, whose contract was unanimously approved, was chosen by the council Jan. 23 as its choice for the position following a nationwide search led by Ness. A resident of San Luis Obispo where he serves as a city councilman, Carter will go to work for the city Feb. 20. He is set to resign his council seat Feb. 19. Carter has 20 years of business management experience with the bulk of it in marketing and advertising with companies such as Nestle Waters North America, Dioptics Medical Products and Cellular One. From 1985 to 1988, he served as an account executive at Young & Rubicam, one of the largest advertising agencies in the country at the time. He has also taught business classes at Cal Poly, Cuesta College and the University of LaVerne. In addition to his business experience, Carter has served as a board member of the Economic Vitality Corporation, Workforce Housing Coalition and Residents for Quality Neighborhoods, all in San Luis Obispo County. Carter earned a bachelor's degree from Princeton University in New Jersey and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. For all his big city credentials, Carter said he grew up in a small farming community, so he believed Guadalupe was a good fit for him.
Live Oak, Florida (population 6,848): Live Oak City Administrator Joe Miranti resigned March 4 after just a few short weeks on the job, according to the Suwanee Democrat. Miranti resigned via a memorandum to all five council members and Mayor Sonny Nobles. The resignation was effectively immediately. In the memorandum Miranti cited city policy regarding his lack of authority to terminate department heads. He wrote that he wasn't aware until after being hired that the city council retained the right to terminate a department head by a majority vote at a meeting and not the administrator. Miranti was hired as city administrator in December.
Grafton, Ohio (population 6,639): Patrick Mudge resigned Monday as Grafton village administrator, according to The Chronicle-Telegram. Mudge, who was on the job less than a year, said while he wishes the village well, he disagreed with some of the things that were happening there. Mudge said he successfully pushed to have leaf collection implemented in the village. He also wasn't pleased with how the village was handling discussions about having the county's 911 Call Center take over police dispatching duties. The Call Center already handles dispatching services for the Lorain County Sheriff's Office and several fire departments. Mudge said he understands the concept, but didn't feel the discussions between the county and Grafton were handled as delicately as they should have been, given that the current dispatchers' jobs were on the line. Grafton Mayor Megan Flanigan said she was unaware of any tensions between Mudge and others in village government. But Mudge said he didn't see eye-to-eye with some of the elected officials in the village, including Flanigan. He also said that he thought some of the issues facing the village should have been addressed sooner. He said his own secondary role as safety-service director, a role traditionally filled by the mayor in Grafton, was likely to have ended soon as part of the village's efforts to save money. He said he didn't necessarily disagree with that reasoning. Flanigan said Mudge sent an email formally leaving his job on Monday, although she indicated that Mudge had expressed his plans to do so in the days beforehand. She said she isn't certain what prompted Mudge to quit. Mudge's departure comes in the wake of several controversies that have swirled around the village in the past year. The village's police chief, Lonnie Carroll, was fired by Flanigan with the backing of Village Council in August and has filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement. Flanigan has declined to say why Carroll was fired and replaced with Dan Clark, who was a part-time patrolman for the village until being elevated to the chief's job after Carroll was ousted. Mudge also was involved in a controversial proposal that the village offer extra police protection in Eaton Township, something that was condemned by Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti, who is responsible for law enforcement in the townships and whose deputies Eaton Township paid for extra patrols.
Shirley, Massachusetts (population 6,373): Selectmen on Friday morning accepted the resignation of Chief Administrative Officer David Berry, effective March 31, according to Nashoba Publishing. Selectmen Dave Swain and Kendra Dumont emerged from an executive session to say they had voted to accept Berry's resignation. Andy Deveau, who was on the board and supported Berry, has resigned from the board and his spot has not been filled. Selectmen asked Berry in January to resign, but when he told selectmen he would not, they began to draw up charges to fire him. Berry had a "just cause" clause in his contract that the town could execute if they deemed Berry was not measuring up. Berry was placed on administrative leave by selectmen earlier this year, and he will use the remainder of his vacation time between now and the date his resignation becomes effective. He was hired in 2010 to replace interim Town Administrator Ron Marchetti, who was filling in for the town after the arrest and firing of Kyle Keady. Keady was arrested on a slew of wiretapping and other charges. Swain previously said he felt that because Berry had not been an effective manager, he and the other members of the board had enough reason to execute the clause. That next step, Swain said, could be working with the Massachusetts Municipal Association to hire an interim administrator. Dumont said she did not sign on to Berry's contract because she could not support spending $90,000 on Berry's salary, and she's happy at this outcome. Swain, who did vote for Berry to be hired, said that situations like this are never easy, but it's what had to be done. Berry attended Friday morning's executive session but left before the meeting was adjourned. Messages left at his Lexington home were not returned Friday. Selectmen did not convene the meeting in open session before going into executive session, as is required by the Open Meeting Law. They also did not announce the reason for the executive session before they went behind closed doors, although their posted notice of the meeting stated they would be going into executive session under Section 21 (1) — which includes discussion of a dismissal of an employee.
Union Gap, Washington (population 6,145): It took two hours of interviews and only 15 minutes of discussion for the Union Gap City Council to name its new city manager Monday night, according to the Yakima Herald. Rodney Otterness, the current city administrator of International Falls, Minn., was chosen unanimously by the seven council members present. Temporary council member and former mayor Jim Lemon was absent for the vote. Otterness was chosen over former Port of Douglas County executive director Pat Haley of East Wenatchee. Council members said they picked Otterness because he has more than a decade of experience in city administration, including experience with labor negotiations, supervising various departments and financial management skills. Otterness said he will spend Tuesday in Union Gap to begin discussing the terms of his contract with the city, which require council approval. He said he hopes to enter office by the beginning of April after making the 1,600-mile relocation from his small Minnesota community on the Canadian border. International Falls has a population of 6,424, according to the 2010 census. It has a five-member city council and, according to the Weather Channel magazine, it is coldest city in the continental U.S. Council members were all smiles after the vote. Councilman Dan Vanover said he is excited about what the change in government means for the future of the city. Mayor Roger Wentz said Otterness' direct knowledge of the office of a city manager was the deciding factor. He said naming a city manager was a "reinvigorating" feeling for the council. Monday night's vote is the next to last step in transitioning to a council-manager form of government after voters did away with the city's strong mayor system in a proposition on the November ballot. The measure was approved only a year after the former mayor Lemon had been re-elected, but it was a year in which Lemon's office was dogged by controversy over staff turnover and accusations of abuse. The council members interviewed Monday night said they did not know why Lemon missed the vote. Phone numbers previously used by the Yakima Herald-Republic to contact Lemon appeared to be disconnected. The man who wrote the proposition that changed the city's form of government, Councilman Dan Olson, said the city now must make their candidate a good offer.
New Ipswich, New Hampshire (population 5,099): Richmond's town administrator is headed for a top leadership job in New Ipswich, according to the Sentinel Source. Roberta A. Fraser, who is also Winchester's selectmen chairwoman, was offered the job of town administrator last week, conditional on the completion of a background check, said Selectmen Chairman George H. Lawrence. She was one of 30 candidates who applied, he said. Fraser will replace Marie Knowlton, who retired on Feb. 5 after seven years on the job. Fraser's starting salary for the full-time position would be between $45,000 and $50,000 annually, Lawrence said. There is no requirement that the town administrator live in New Ipswich, he said. Fraser said this morning she plans to start the new job on March 18. After three years as Richmond's town administrator, which is a part-time position, she was looking for something full-time, she said. She does plan to complete the final year of her three-year term on the Winchester Board of Selectmen, she said.
Peñitas, Texas (population 4,537): Citing health problems, the city manager here resigned Friday after a little more than two years on the job, according to The Monitor. Noe Cavazos said while he enjoyed his time with the city, after having quadruple bypass open heart surgery and diabetes, it was time to leave the demanding job. Cavazos, 58, started as the city manager in December 2010 after retiring from working for Hidalgo County for 30 years. The Peñitas City Council appointed Oscar Cuellar, the city's chief financial officer, as the interim city manager Monday. Mayor Marcos Ochoa said they chose Cuellar to temporarily replace Cavazos because he's familiar with the city. Cuellar, who is in charge of the Finance Department, also was the Peñitas city manager for about two years before leaving for a job in Donna in 2008. Ochoa said city leaders want Cuellar to work on existing projects, including plans to expand and extend Liberty Boulevard and plans for a new city hall, police station and fire station. Cuellar said he will continue his financial officer duties while working as the interim city manager. Before submitting his official resignation letter, Cavazos said, he had spoken with the City Commission about his health issues and let them know his wife wanted him to retire. Cavazos said he enjoyed working with the city commission particularly on economic development projects.
Millinocket, Maine (population 4,466): After more than 30 years in town government, the last thing Peggy Daigle wanted was another government job, she said Wednesday. But the Town Council has made an offer that Daigle thinks she cannot refuse. Councilors offered Daigle the opportunity to succeed Town Manager Eugene Conlogue and interim Town Manager Charles Pray as the town's next top government official, council Chairman John Davis said. The offer was made Tuesday. If all goes well, the council will vote on March 14 to ratify Daigle's tentative contract, Davis said. She and Davis declined to give contract details. Negotiations are progressing "but there are still a few things we need to talk about," Davis said. Daigle has served as an interim city manager in Caribou and was town manager in Enfield, Houlton, Old Town and Patten. An East Millinocket resident, she was East Millinocket's administrative assistant in the 1990s and served as director of Municipal Geographical Information Systems for the James W. Sewall Co. in Old Town. Daigle resigned in May 2011 after seven years as Old Town's manager. City Council Chairman David Mahan said at the time that Daigle's resignation "was not for cause, simply a choice on the part of the City Council to take the city into a new direction with new leadership." Millinocket's councilors chose her out of 32 candidates, including Pray and five other finalists, Davis said. Her economic development experience helped make Daigle the strongest candidate for the job, Davis said. The new Great Northern Paper Co. machine on Katahdin Avenue has been dormant for several years and the Katahdin region has suffered a declining population and an unemployment rate double the state average. GNP and parent company Cate Street Capital are razing several GNP buildings as part of plans to build an industrial park on site. The park will complement a torrefied wood machine and a natural gas pipeline proposal that the LePage administration supports. Daigle has served as the part-time executive manager of the Bangor Target Area Development Corp. since October 2011. The regional economic development agency has helped businesses from Hampden to Old Town since 1972, helping to develop successful parks in Bangor, Hampden, and Hermon. It owns the Target Technology Center, an industrial park that is home to several fledgling enterprises developed with the University of Maine, Daigle said. Daigle is experienced, she said, at helping entrepreneurs "who are traveling through the Valley of Death on their projects and trying to get nontraditional financing to advance their projects to a state where they can get financing from more traditional means." If her deal with Millinocket is made, Daigle said she plans to first meet with councilors, town government staff and local businesses to see how she can help. Given her business experience and Millinocket's economic needs, Daigle said that it "seems a bit selfish" to retire when she could help the area.
Linden, Michigan (population 3,957): The Linden City Council picked Paul Zelenak on Saturday, Feb. 23, as the new city manager, according to MLive. Zelenak, who currently serves as the Lake Orion village manager, was selected after thecity council interviewed him and three others on Saturday. Mayor David Lossing will begin contract negotiations with Zelenak and said he hoped to have a contract to bring back to the city council for approval at its March 11 meeting. Police Chief Scott Sutter has been serving as the interim city manager after the city's previous city manager, Mark Tallman, resigned in September. At the time, all the city council would say was that Tallman wasn't a "good fit." Tallman was hired in April and had been on the job for four months.
Saluda, South Carolina (population 3,566): In a little more than a year, Tom Brooks, 40, has risen from a "half-day-a-week" employee with the Town of Saluda to its top municipal employee, according to the Index-Journal. Brooks, originally hired in January 2012 as Saluda's director of economic and community development was appointed town administrator Monday by the Saluda Town Council. The appointment came following the resignation of former Town Administrator Randy Cole. Both Cole and Brooks said the transition was long-planned.
Rockport, Maine (population 3,330): Rockport's town manager has resigned, according to WABI. Robert Peabody has been on paid leave for the three weeks prior to February 19. The town select board worked out a deal for Peabody to go the previous week, but it wasn't signed off on until February 19. Peabody has been the town manager since March of 2004. His contract was set to run out in June of next year. Selectboard Chairman Bill Chapman says he can't say what lead to Peabody's resignation but that town clerk Linda Greenlaw is the acting town manager for now. The select board was scheduled to appoint an interim town manager at a regular meeting February 20.
Nash, Texas (population 2,968): After 18 years as Nash city administrator, Elizabeth Lea will be turning in her keys in early April, according to the Texarkana Gazette. Nash City Council members agreed to February 11 to accept a retirement letter submitted by Lea, effective, April 5.
Southport, North Carolina (population 2,899): Pat Thomas has resigned as City Manager in Southport, according to Mayor Robert Howard and WECT. Howard tells WECT he received Thomas' letter of resignation on Friday, just one day after a Board of Aldermen meeting and town celebration over the release of the movie "Safe Haven." Thomas took the job in Southport in April of 2012 after serving as Town Manager of Swansboro, in Onslow County. His resignation in Southport is effective on April 16. Howard says Thomas' letter did not include a reason for the decision, and did not specify any details on his immediate future plans.
Jaffrey, New Hampshire (population 2,757): Selectmen have chosen David R. Caron of Belmont to be Jaffrey's new town manager, according to the Sentinel Source. Caron began his new job today. Town officials started the search in December, when then-Town Manager Michael J. Hartman accepted a similar position in Stoughton, Mass. Hartman held the position for five years. Caron has more than 30 years of municipal management experience, and previously worked in Belmont, Gilford, Londonderry and North Hampton. He has also served on state and regional organizations, such as New Hampshire's Enhanced 911 Commission, the Local Government Center and the state's Municipal Association Municipal Advocacy Committee. He has served as town manager in Londonderry, Gilford and Belmont. When Caron was offered the position by Jaffrey selectmen, he had been working as an interim town manager in North Hampton, said Selectmen Chairwoman Jeanne L. LaBrie. Caron said he applied for the Jaffrey position because he was impressed by how much residents felt a civic responsibility in the small town. Town officials hired the consulting firm Massachusetts Municipal Association to help with advertising and winnowing applicants. The firm received nearly 40 applications and was paid between $12,000 and $14,000 by the town. While the advertisement for the job said the salary would be $100,000, Caron will be making $108,000 during his three-year contract because he has chosen not to receive medical insurance through the town, LaBrie said. And although Caron started his job Monday morning, it'll be some time until he has a desk and office. Structural issues a couple weeks ago at the town offices led to the town's financial director using the then-vacant town manager's office. Caron is currently using the conference room, and LaBrie said she hopes the space issue will be resolved within a week. Caron has a bachelor's degree in public management from the University of Maine. He will be commuting from Belmont during the week, as his wife still teaches there, he said. Caron will also be at the town meeting Saturday morning. Department of Public Works Director Randall W. Heglin has been acting as interim town manager since Hartman left.
Croswell, Michigan (population 2,418): Croswell City Council chose Samuel Moore for Croswell city administrator, according to The Times Herald. Moore and four other candidates who were selected by the Michigan Municipal League interviewed for the position of city administrator on Sunday. Karl Tomion, executive search facilitator for the MML, said Moore must pass a background and reference check before starting as administrator. Currently, Moore serves as the community development director for Cass City, which is essentially an assistant village manager, he said. Moore, 28, said he was surprised by the number of grant projects the city has scheduled over the next couple of years. Moore will meet with the city attorney Monday evening to go over the details of his contract. Mary Willis, mayor pro tem for Croswell, said the Croswell streetscape project will be one of Moore's biggest responsibilities in the coming year. Willis said Moore stood out from other interview candidates for his straightforward answers and commitment to transparency. Willis said the MML's help in the selection process provides insight and expertise. The fact that Moore is not from Croswell should provide an interesting perspective to the city, Willis said. The position of city administrator for Croswell was left vacant in December when John Espinoza retired for health reasons. Amy Planck has served as interim city administrator during the search process. Moore currently lives in Cass City but plans to move to Croswell.
Landrum, South Carolina (population 2,400): Landrum City Administrator Steve Wolochowicz notified council Tuesday, Feb. 12 that he would be retiring later this spring, according to the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Mayor Robert Briggs said Wolochowicz, who began working as Landrum's city administrator eight years ago, would be hard to replace. In a letter to council, Wolochowicz said he felt proud of the accomplishments the city has made in the almost decade since he took the position. Several of those accomplishments include developing a city website to promote the city as a tourism destination, to complete the development of Brookwood Park and to secure funding and begin construction of the N. Randolph Avenue sidewalk project among other tasks. Since Wolochowicz took on the job Landrum has developed a website, which now averages 138,000 hits per month. The city also transformed a middle portion of Brookwood Park that was overrun with kudzu into a paved walking trail and has seen the first phase of the N. Randolph sidewalk project completed. The second phase of the sidewalk project will go out to bid in June 2013. The city has also moved forward with plans to renovate the historic railroad depot. Councilman John Carruth said though he's only worked with Wolochowicz for the past year, he feels more was accomplished than had been under past administrators. Carruth said Wolochowicz took on a leadership role that many others did not in the past. Mayor Briggs said he hopes the city can find a replacement that can handle the daily stress of a city administrator's job. Wolochowicz leaves the position April 30.
Lake Placid, Florida (population 2,219): At Monday night's town council meeting, three new people were sworn in or promoted to new positions, according to Highlands Today. Former Chief of Police Phil Williams was sworn in as the new town administrator, while Vickie Bollinger was sworn in as deputy clerk. She will shadow longtime outgoing clerk Arlene Tuck for the next couple of months, until Tuck retires. James Fansler was promoted to interim chief of police. Williams requested this be a temporary arrangement, to be reviewed after being in his new position for one year. Fansler's new position will be reviewed for performance in three months. His salary will increase by $5,000 a year. He thanked Williams and the council for putting their trust in him and promised to give the people of Lake Placid his best.
Tryon, North Carolina (population 1,625): Tryon Town Manager Caitlin Martin was terminated on Friday, Feb. 8 after working with the town for five months, according to the Tryon Daily Bulletin. Council met Friday morning in a special closed session where they made the decision to terminate Martin. Mayor Pro-tem Roy Miller said the town decided to go in a different direction. At the time the vote occurred in open session, commissioners Miller, Doug Arbogast and Wim Woody were the only ones present and the vote to terminate was unanimous. All council members, including mayor Alan Peoples and commissioner George Baker attended the closed session meeting for discussion. Martin was the first female manager to work in Polk County and began working with the town on Sept. 10, 2012. Tryon's manager position was the first for Martin as she graduated with a masters in public administration from the College of Charleston in May 2011. Tryon has appointed fire chief Joey Davis as the interim manager, a position he held prior to the hiring of Martin. Davis is also the planning and zoning administrator and code enforcer. Davis was appointed interim manager following the town's firing of former manager Justin Hembree. Hembree was the town's manager for almost three years, being hired in January 2009 as the interim, then being appointed permanent manager in June 2009. He was fired on Jan. 3, 2012. The town has struggled finding a permanent manager since former manager Jim Fatland resigned in December 2007 after working with the town for approximately five years. Following Fatland, the town hired Dr. Jack Miller, who only Board of Aldermen appointed Stuart Turille as its new Town Manager at its regular meeting last night, according to WWAY. Turille most recently served as Town Administrator for St. Pauls, where he managed five departments and was responsible for successfully obtaining approximately $2 million in grants for the town within five years. Turille's professional goal is to work with a coastal community with the understanding that they have unique issues from inland communities such as beach nourishment, hurricane preparedness, seasonal tourism, and absentee property ownership. He has prior coastal experience having previously worked for Broward County, FL. Turille holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida State, a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Virginia. Turille will begin working for the Town of North Topsail Beach on April 1, 2013.
Westminster, Vermont (population 289): Town Manager Matt Daskal got his "Welcome to the Job" moment just 30 days into his tenure, according to the Brattleboro Reformer. The young Connecticut native took the job in July 2011, one month before Tropical Storm Irene took an unusual path up the East Coast and make a beeline for Vermont, causing widespread damage the state had never experienced before. Just more than a year and a half later, the Westminster Selectboard has accepted Daskal's letter of resignation. Daskal, 25, told the Reformer his final day in Westminster is set for the end of March, as he will begin his new job in Manchester on Monday, April 1. He said the selectmen accepted his resignation on Tuesday, March 5. A statement released to the Reformer said Daskal wishes the community well and wants to thank the many people that pitched in their support and dedication during his term. According to the statement, Daskal guided the town through the response and recovery of Irene and the flooding of May 2012. Selectboard member Craig Allen said he is happy with Daskal's performance and was impressed he was able to secure roughly $1.1 million from FEMA to reimburse the town for bridge and road repairs following the disaster. He said brand-new Selectboard member Paul Banik will be introduced at today's Selectboard meeting and the board will talk about how to replace Daskal. Allen said there will be a discussion about whether to hire an interim town manager and about possibly forming a committee to appoint a permanent one. Board members also will discuss picking a new administrative assistant to the town manager, as the one under Daskal announced her resignation when she found out she was moving. The meeting is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. Paul Harlow, who just vacated his Selectboard seat, has seen several town managers since he joined the board in 1997 following the death of member George Cote. He said Daskal handled the job with grace, especially after Irene struck. Harlow said the Selectboard is essentially the town manager's boss and is in charge of filling the position. He said Daskal had the proper training and enthusiasm, making him by far the best candidate a year and a half ago. He told the Reformer the Selectboard requested help from the Vermont League Cities and Towns, which provided a job description and potential candidates. Daskal was chosen following an interview because he excelled at the technical aspects of the field and seemed to be good with handling financial issues. Harlow said it is not unusual for a town manager to leave Westminster after a short time, calling it the "nature progression." He said he thinks the average tenure is about three to five years. Daskal said his work in Manchester will be similar to what he has been doing in Westminster. He told the Reformer he is originally from Wethersfield, Conn., and attended Connecticut College, where he double-majored in history and sociology and earned a certificate in community action. He then went on to receive a master's degree in public administration from Syracuse University before working on special projects for the Capitol Region Council of Governments in Plainville, Conn. Daskal said he will still be available to the Westminster community for several months after assuming his new post.
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Transitions: Port St. Lucie, FL; Deltona, FL; Mission, TX and more
Posted on February 8, 2013 by Salette Andrews
Greg Oravec
Port St. Lucie, Florida (population 166,149): Port St. Lucie Council voted Thursday morning 4-0 to accept City Manager Greg Oravec's separation agreement, according to WPTV. Mayor JoAnn Faiella postponed her State of the City speech, which was supposed to be held Thursday morning, in lieu of the special City Council meeting called to "consider the removal of the city manager." Mayor JoAnn Faiella called for a hour long recess when the meeting began to discuss an "agreement" but would not specify the details of the arrangement. City council member Michelle Berger was absent from the meeting as a crowd of more than 50 people packed inside city council chambers for the special meeting. The meeting began at 9 a.m. at Port St. Lucie City Hall, 121 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd. On Monday, Oravec suggested the City Council strike "an amicable separation agreement" with him before his contract expires in March 2014. He also released 85 pages of emails and personal notes that document poor relations between him and some council members. A state open government watchdog said they indicate Sunshine Law violations because Oravec was being told that four of the five council members no longer supported him, without having discussed it in a public meeting. A new date has not been set for Faiella's State of the City speech.
Deltona, Florida (population 83,530): In a surprise move, Deltona's city manager abruptly resigned from office Monday night, according to News 13. However, Faith Miller knew a motion to fire her would be called at the commission meeting. She instead chose to resign. Miller has been with the city for the past 17 years, first as a city clerk, and became the city manager in 2008. Miller did not want to reveal who the commissioner was. But News 13 learned it was newly-elected commissioner Chris Nabitch, the city's former fire marshal. Miller fired Nabitch from that post several years ago. Nabitch did not want to comment on camera, but admitted Miller turned down his ultimatum Friday. Miller did not show up for work Monday and called Mayor John Masiarczyk two hours before the city commission meeting. Miller faced and survived several attempts to oust her during her tenure as city manager, including from Vice Mayor Zenaida Denizac. She called for Miller's termination two years ago and knows how she would vote if the motion for termination came up. Miller keeps her severance package, which includes her $133,000 salary for a year and other benefits. Assistant City Manager David Dennys is now the interim city manager.
Mission, Texas (population 77,058): The Mission city manager submitted his resignation Wednesday after about eight years on the job, according to The Monitor. Julio Cerda will leave the city Feb. 28 to open his own engineering firm. He joined the city staff in 2003 as the city engineer and moved up the ranks to become city manager in 2005. The City Council has not yet decided on an interim replacement for his post. The city will give Cerda $158,000 as a part of an unconditional release, meaning Cerda will have to "release any and all claims known or unknown that he may have against the city," City Attorney David Guerra said. Guerra said unconditional release agreements are common and he tries to get them from every city employee who leaves. Mayor Norberto "Beto" Salinas said Cerda does not have any claims against the city. Cerda will also receive about $24,000 that is left from sick and vacation time and will stay on the city health insurance for a year. The city manager thanked the City Council and staff during his speech. He said after the meeting that he was not resigning because of political pressure and that it was simply time to move on. He noted that he has held the position longer than any other Mission city manager in the past 40 years. Salinas said he was happy with Cerda's work, particularly on expanding the city's water and wastewater treatment plants. Cerda's expertise as a public engineer also helped with the creation of Anzalduas Highway leading to the Anzalduas International Bridge, Salinas said. Cerda said he's enjoyed his relationship with the City Council and hugged the members after the meeting. He spoke about the city's major growth during his tenure and the importance of instituting new services while keeping a healthy fund balance. The City Council recently renewed Cerda's contract to extend to October 2013.The mayor — known for publicly admonishing city employees, particularly Cerda, during City Council meetings — noted that he pushes Cerda, but he said he still respects the work he's done.
Rice County, Minnesota (population 64,142): Rice County administrator Gary Weiers announced his upcoming resignation at Tuesday's Rice County Board of Commissioners meeting, according to the Fairbault Daily News. The announcement was met with mixed emotions as commissioners expressed their regret to see Weiers go, but also respectful of his career decisions. Weiers, who has held the position for 10 years, has helped the county weather the hardship of the recession. A good communicator, Weiers is known for his fair approach and common sense in county government. In an email sent to all county staff on Tuesday morning, Weiers alerted his co-workers of his pending departure in advance of the public announcement. Weiers had nothing but praise for the people he's worked with at Rice County. After a decade with the county, Weiers is leaving to work in the private sector as a consultant for David Drown & Associates–a Minneapolis-based consultant firm specializing in financial solutions for the public sector. Weiers said that he will do what he can to make sure the board finds a suitable replacement. Malecha said that the Personnel Committee will convene soon to discuss the county's options. Weiers's last day will be March 22.
Campbell, California (population 39,349): The Campbell City Council will vote on filling the City Manager position this Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. during its regular council meeting, according to the Campbell Patch. Amy Brown announced she would be leaving Campbell for a job at the county of Santa Clara on Jan. 18. Cupertino's Director of Parks and Recreation Mark Linder will replace Brown. According to the council agenda, Linder will take over the City Manager position starting Feb. 19 and will be initially paid $199,500 annually, with the council reviewing his performance annually. He will be given a monthly car allowance of $225 to compensate him for using his personal car for city business, $40 a month for cell phone service and he will receive 15 days of paid vacation and five days of sick leave. For the fiscal year 2013, the City Manager is subject to 56 furlough hours, which according to the agenda memo will be prorated for the period of Feb. 19 to June 30. Linder's career has taken him all over Silicon Valley, including five years at the city of Cupertino as the Director of the Parks & Recreation department, three years at the city of San Jose as Deputy City Manger, Assistant City Manger and Director of Park, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, four years at the Town of Los Gatos as the Assistant Town Manager, four years at the Santa Cruz Metro Transit as the Assistant General Manager. Brown was hired in 2011 to replace Dan Rich, who had been with the city of Campbell for six years as its City Manager. He left Campbell to become the City Manager of Mountain View. Four the approximately four months between Rich leaving and Brown being hired, the Campbell City Councilappointed Al Bito as the Interim City Manger.
Poughkeepsie, New York (population 32,736): Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik said today he has appointed Camilo Bunyi, the city commissioner of finance, as new city administrator, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. The position has been vacant since Michael Long, who was hired in mid-2008, left on Sept. 19 for a post in Oneonta. Bunyi, who has served as finance commissioner for Poughkeepsie since 2008, has served frequently in the capacity of acting administrator when Long was out of town. He is currently acting city administrator. Bunyi resides in the City of Poughkeepsie. The Poughkeepsie Common Council must vote on confirming Bunyi as new city administrator. The council is holding a special meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 to act on the appointment. Tkazyik said the salary Bunyi will be paid is still being negotiated. His current annual salary as finance commissioner is $84,448.
South Burlington, Vermont (population 17,904): Monday night, Chairwoman Rosanne Greco said Miller's $117,000 contract included a provision for dismissal at any time, without cause, with 12 months worth of pay and benefits, according to WPTZ. On Tuesday the Council released a statement detailing some of the reasoning behind the dismissal saying Miller's "interactions with the council had become strained." The statement goes on to say council members were "concerned about complaints received from the community that Mr. Miller pursues city matters with an aggressive and confrontational style." Meanwhile, some residents said they would have liked to see the situation handled differently. Despite having to pay more than $117,000 to fire miller, the city said "The need for an immediate change in the city's top management position outweighs the cost of the severance package." The council said it wants to improve relations with city residents, businesses and non-profits, and that it wants to create a better work environment as looks for its next City Manager.
Holden, Massachusetts (population 17,346): Jacquelyn Kelly, who will officially be sworn in as town manager on Feb. 1, has released the details of the three-year contract she negotiated in a series of executive sessions with the board of selectmen, according to The Landmark. Kelly will receive a $140,000 annual salary. Salary increases will be merit-based and dependent upon annual evaluations by the selectmen. The contract does not stipulate for any floor or minimal amount, Kelly said. The town will also pay three percent of her salary into a deferred compensation plan, as town manager Nancy Galkowski has in her three-year contract, which runs until Jan. 31. Kelly will also have two weeks of vacation each year, in addition to the traditional benefits such as heath insurance and sick time. Kelly was named as acting town manager in September after Galkowski left on an extended medical leave. In July, Galkowski had informed selectmen that she did not wish to negotiate any further contract with the town. Kelly served as assistant town manager under previous town manager Brian Bullock and later, Galkowski. When Galkowski was hired as town manager by selectmen in 2009, Kelly was the board's second choice. She has also worked in the planning department and for the Holden Municipal Light Department. Town boards, department heads and employees have been giving her tremendous support, Kelly said. Right now, the challenges she sees are mostly related to money.
Vadnais Heights, Minnesota (population 12,302): Kevin Watson of Junction City, Ore., has been selected to be Vadnais Heights city administrator, according to the MinnPost. He'll replace Gerry Urban, who worked for the city for 45 years, and held the top job for 35 years. The Pioneer Press had a long weekend piece on Urban, who has been the public face of Vadnais Heights for decades. He was a strong supporter, though, of the Sports Center deal that went awry last year. Vadnais officials say Watson has agreed to an offer and will start work March 4. Before taking the Junction City job, Watson was assistant to the city manager in Keizer Ore., and industrial redevelopment manager in Dallas, Ore., before that.
Trinidad, Colorado (population 9,096): Almost two years after controversy started with the Trinidad City Manager's Position and nine months after the Trinidad City Council voted to dismiss the city manger, Tuesday the council approved by a 7-0 unanimous vote to hire Tom Acre as the new city manager, according to KRDO. The city had put in place two interim managers since May of 2012: former City Attorney Jared Beatty and retired First National Bank President Ralph Gagliardi. Acre had been acting as the Interim City Manager since the council appointed him in Dec. 2012. Trinidad Mayor Bernadette Baca-Gonzales was pleased with the council's choice. The council before the vote went into executive session for almost an hour and half before coming out with the unanimous vote to hire Acre on a permanent basis. Acre will move into his permanent position immediately. Details of his contract still need to be hammered out, council expects the contract to be finalized soon.
Roanoke, Texas (population 5,962): "The Unique Dining Capital of Texas," has a new city manager, according to The Keller Citizen. During a specially called city council meeting Jan. 29, Roanoke hired Scott Campbell, who has served for six years as town manager of Sunnyvale, a town of about 5,200 people in Dallas County, Campbell is replacing Jimmy Stathatos, Roanoke's first and only city manager since the position was created in 1998. Stathatos was recently hired as city manager of Flower Mound. During his time in Roanoke, the city's tax base grew from $99 million to more than $1.7 billion while its sales tax revenue increased to more than $10 million annually. Campbell officially will start on Feb. 18. His starting salary will be $175,000 annually. Campbell's experience includes major public works and capital improvement project financing and construction. While in Sunnyvale, he oversaw significant residential and commercial growth to include more than $400 million in new town investments. Notable projects include the Texas Regional Medical Center at Sunnyvale, a 120,000-square-foot, full-service, physician-owned hospital; Marazzi Tile, a 300,000-square-foot expansion of an existing tile manufacturing plant that is the town's second highest property tax payer; Millard Refrigeration, a new 400,000-square-foot refrigerated warehousing company; and Sunnyvale Centre, a major retail Master Planned Development. Roanoke Mayor Scooter Gierisch said much of Campbell's experience is associated with long-term, comprehensive and strategic planning with cities poised for significant growth. Gierisch said council members evaluated numerous qualified applicants and selected Campbell based on his extensive experience, positive outlook and successful tenure in city management. Campbell received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1994 from the University of North Texas. In 1996, he received a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington, School of Urban and Public Affairs. Campbell began his career in 1994 as a part-time management intern with the city of Euless. He was later promoted to a full-time administrative assistant and then assistant to the city manager. From 1999 to 2004, Campbell served the city administrator of Ovilla, in Ellis County. From 2004-2006 he served as the community manager for the Lake Kiowa Property Owner's Association in Cook County. Scott and his wife, Amber, have been married for 13 years and have two children, Nicholas, 11 and Lauren, 9.
Tisbury, Massachusetts (population 3,949): Following a four-month search, the Tisbury board of selectmen voted Tuesday to name John W. Grande of Framingham as town administrator, according to the Martha's Vineyard Gazette. Mr. Grande currently serves as planning board director for the town of Framingham, an elected position he has held for 15 years. The announcement comes just days after selectmen held public interviews with three finalists for the job: Mr. Grande, state retirement board project manager Sally Rizzo and East Providence, R.I. city manager Peter Graczykowski. The vote to offer the job to Mr. Grande was unanimous, but followed 10 minutes of deliberation in which one of the selectmen voiced preference for another candidate. During his public interview Saturday, Mr. Grande told the selectmen he would need to give several weeks' notice to his current employer before moving to the Vineyard. For that reason, selectman Jonathan Snyder said, he might prefer another candidate. Selectman Jeffrey Kristal said he preferred Mr. Grande's town position versus the other candidates' roles in the city and state. Chairman Tristan Israel said Mr. Grande stood out as a long-term planner capable of juggling multiple projects as well as different committees and departments. The split opinion mirrored a straw poll taken after public interviews Saturday, during which Mr. Israel and Mr. Kristal each cast votes for Mr. Grande, while Mr. Snyder voted for Mr. Graczykowski. Mr. Snyder, who began the deliberations Tuesday with an acknowledgement that he would be comfortable with any of the three candidates, then initiated a motion to vote for Mr. Grande. The motion seconded, the selectmen adjourned to executive session to discuss contract negotiations. Acting town administrator Aase Jones said she expected to formally offer Mr. Grande the position Wednesday morning.
Kimberly, Idaho (population 3,264): The city of Kimberly has hired a new city administrator/treasurer, filling several of the city's staff openings, according to the Twin Falls Times-News. Larry Hall, former coordinator of Southern Idaho Rural Development, will now serve as the city administrator and treasurer, confirmed Councilman Jim Eisenhower. The Kimberly City Council is scheduled to confirm the hiring during its Tuesday night, Feb. 12, meeting. While Hall doesn't have experience working as a city administrator, he has worked extensively with small towns while at Southern Idaho Rural Development, a creation of the Region IV Development Association that encourages economic development and diversification, Eisenhower said. The city's administrator position saw two turnovers last year. The first was in April with the resignation of Polly Hulsey. Then, Nick Camberlango resigned on Dec. 20 just short of the end of his probationary period. Hall said he is looking forward to working with the city council and staff but recognizes that there might be challenges to taking on the new position. Now that the city has hired a city administrator, council and staff are debating hiring a new planning and zoning director.
Stanfield, Oregon (population 2,043): Stanfield City Manager Scott Pingel announced at City Council Tuesday he will take a city manager position in Dayton, Ore., according to the Hermiston Herald. Pingel will serve his last day in his current position on Friday, March 8. He will start with the city of Dayton on March 11.
Posted in Transitions	| Tagged California, Campbell, Colorado, Deltona, Florida, Holden, Idaho, Kimberly, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mission, New York, Oregon, Port St. Lucie, Poughkeepsie, Rice County, Roanoke, South Burlington, Stanfield, Texas, Tisbury, Trinidad, Vadnais Heights, Vermont	| Leave a reply
Transitions: Douglas County, NE; Pasco County, FL; Chesapeake, VA and more
Posted on November 27, 2012 by Salette Andrews
Douglas County, Nebraska (population 517,110): The Douglas County Board voted unanimously Tuesday to make Patrick Bloomingdale the county administrator come February, according to The Omaha World Herald. Bloomingdale, 43, has worked the past 10 years as deputy county administrator. He joined the county in 1993 as a deputy county attorney in the civil division. The board agreed to increase Bloomgindale's salary to $138,000 in February. His salary will climb to $142,500 after three months in the new job. Bloomingdale currently makes about $87,000. Bloomingdale will replace Kathleen Kelley, who will retire at the end of January. Kelley, who turns 66 next month, has been with the county for 24 years, 15 of them as county administrator.
Pasco County, Florida (population 464,697): The man who took over Pasco County's scandal-ridden county government more than 30 years ago will soon release his tight grip on power, according to the Tampa Bay Times. County Administrator John Gallagher told the Tampa Bay Times he will retire in late spring, giving county commissioners a transition period while they search for his successor. Gallagher has been a leading figure in local government, transforming a once-rural county poised for exploding growth. He is one of the pioneers of the Suncoast Parkway. In recent years, he aggressively tried to shed the county's status as a bedroom community with few major industries. City and county managers in Florida have an average tenure of less than seven years. Hernando has had nine county administrators since 1990. Gallagher will retire a few weeks after his 31st anniversary. He is the longest-serving county administrator in Florida history. He also loves to spar with developers to secure the best possible deal for the county on a major project. Consider recent negotiations with the Porter family on a proposed tourism sports complex in Wesley Chapel intended to lure regional tournaments. His staff avoided him during the talks, saying he wasn't smiling much. Gallagher's departure is not wholly unexpected. Commissioners elected this year said they expected to choose a successor during their four-year term. Several veteran deputies recently retired, including budget chief and close confidant Mike Nurrenbrock. Ann Hildebrand, an ally on the commission for almost his entire tenure, just stepped down from her office. Gallagher did not arrive in county government at its finest hour. Commission Chairman Barry Doyle was part of a three-vote majority to hire him in March 1982. A week into the job, two members of the state attorney's office visited Gallagher's office to tell him about a grand jury investigation. Within six months, Doyle was indicted for accepting bribes from men who did business with the county. Part of the grand jury's work included a series of recommendations to clean up county government. Gallagher knew the county was headed in the right direction after commissioners gave him the power to fire staff without commission approval. Property Appraiser Mike Wells recently compared Pasco in Gallagher's initial years to "medieval times." The county lacked several key pieces of infrastructure in the early '80s: A water and sewer system. Parks. Libraries. A trash incinerator. A bigger jail. A road network to handle future growth. Gallagher oversaw the creation of all those things. In the past few years, Pasco has landed planned expansions of T. Rowe Price and Raymond James Financial. New growth policies encourage dense development along the county's southern edge and could attract more high-paying jobs. Gallagher lives in New Port Richey with his wife, Judy, an assistant principal at Gulf High School. Their children are grown. He isn't sure what he'll do after he retires. Perhaps some travelling. He won't run for public office. He also ruled out endorsing a candidate to replace him. A top candidate will likely be Gallagher's chief assistant for the last five years, Michele Baker.
Chesapeake, Virginia (population 222,209): The manager of York County, South Carolina will be Chesapeake's new city manager, according to WKTR. James E. Baker will begin work in Chesapeake on January 14, 2013. Baker was the unanimous choice of the city council. Prior to moving to York County in 2007, Mr. Baker served for 16 years as director of administration and chief of staff to the county executive of St. Louis County, Missouri. St. Louis County surrounds the city of St. Louis and is considered the state's economic engine. Before beginning his career in municipal management, Mr. Baker worked for the county's criminal prosecutor for 11 years. In that role, Mr. Baker tried major felony cases including capital murder cases, investigated and tried most public corruption and white collar crime cases, and supervised ten members of the trial staff and eleven support staff. Mr. Baker graduated summa cum laude from the University of Missouri with an undergraduate degree in chemistry, and received his law degree in 1979 from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. Though several details of his employment package remain to be sorted out, Mr. Baker has been offered and accepted a two-year contract with a salary of $205,000 a year. Baker is 58 years old and is married and the father of two sons.
Florence County, South Carolina (population 136,885): KG "Rusty" Smith said he started his new Florence County administrator's job Monday morning, according to WPDE. He said there's a lot of work to catch up on that was left behind by the former administrator, Thomas Robinson, who resigned earlier this month after 13 months on the job. Smith said his not sure of his exact salary, but that he's making about $7,000 less than Robinson. Smith stated he's so excited about job that he reported in to work Monday morning at 5:45 a.m. Florence County Council members voted last Thursday to offer the Florence County Council Chairman the position. He then resigned before accepting the administrator's position. Smith was up for the job last year, but withdrew his name due to controversy about his position as chairman.
According to the Morning News, the county administrator's position pays roughly $135,000 a year. Smith, a small business owner, has an undergraduate degree in business from the University of South Carolina. That met the minimum educational requirements of the job posted in 2011 by council. But it falls somewhat short of the typical large county administrator's resume, which usually includes a master's, and a degree in finance or the law, or both.
Sunrise, Florida (population 84,439): Commissioners agreed Wednesday to hire a well-respected outsider to lead City Hall, according to the Sun Sentinel. Alan Cohen, a former strong mayor in Ithaca, N.Y., wowed city leaders during a lengthy interview process less than two weeks ago. Commissioners agreed to meet in two weeks to discuss Cohen's salary and contract. Cohen, who recently moved to Sunrise with his wife and newborn daughter, spent one year as the city manager in Sunny Isles Beach. He resigned from the $180,000-a-year job in June. He served as the strong mayor of Ithaca from 1996 to 2003. He has also run a management consulting company and a restaurant in Ithaca. Commissioners chose Cohen over Richard Salamon, who was appointed interim city manager in August after Bruce Moeller left to take a job in Pinellas County. City leaders agreed to eliminate the other finalists: Steve Fitzgibbons, a former city manager in Port Arthur, Texas; and Angel Jones, a former city manager in Gaithersburg, Md.
William A. Rawlings
Menifee, California (population 77,519): Menifee's city manager, Bill Rawlings, stepped down from his position during a special City Council meeting Tuesday, Nov. 20, and will be replaced by Rob Johnson, a senior manager, according to The Press-Enterprise. The council called the meeting to conduct a closed session to evaluate the performance of Rawlings, who managed the city for less than two years. The decision for Rawlings to step down was mutual, the city attorney Joseph Fletcher said at the meeting. A press release states Rawlings will leave at the end of November, but Johnson said after the meeting he will begin his job as the interim city manager on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Though city officials declined to comment on what triggered the unexpected departure, the change will affect the city "in a positive manner," Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Fuhrman said after the meeting.
Flower Mound, Texas (population 64,669): The Flower Mound Town Council voted unanimously to appoint Roanoke City Manager Jimmy Stathatos as the new Town Manager of Flower Mound at the November 19 regular meeting, according to Pegasus News. Stathatos has served as city manager in Roanoke since 1998 and has managed the organization through some of the most rapid and dynamic growth of any municipality in the state, while maintaining one of the lowest property tax rates in Texas. During his tenure, Roanoke's tax base grew from $99 million to approximately $1.7 billion and sales tax revenue increased to more than $10 million a year. Mayor Tom Hayden and the town council were unified in conveying the qualities the new Flower Mound town manager must possess to Keller-based SGR Executive Search. These prioritized criteria included experience as a town manager or assistant town manager in a premier quality-of-life community in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, a track record of success in spurring high quality economic development, and a proven commitment in creating a successful organizational culture that is passionate about customer service. The qualified candidate must also be an authentic leader who has inspired and motivated employees while creating a positive and productive workplace with a history of results-oriented management excellence, and a serious commitment to be a good steward of taxpayer resources. During the search for the next town manager, SGR Executive Search discussed numerous prospective candidates with the council, resulting in a field of eight top applicants. After further discussion, the field was narrowed to three candidates, who were then invited to interview with the council. One of the factors that tipped the council toward Stathatos was his extensive hands-on experience and track record in economic development. As city manager, Stathatos directs and manages Roanoke's economic development program, which has helped create more than 3,700 new jobs and approximately $1 billion in new development projects including General Motors, Citigroup, and many other Fortune 500 companies. The Texas Economic Development Department recognized Roanoke's success with its Community Development Award, and the Dallas Business Journal recognized Roanoke twice for "Best Real Estate Deals."
Burnsville, Minnesota (population 60,306): After ten years as the city of Burnsville's top administrator, City Manager Craig Ebeling announced Tuesday his plans to retire on March 29, 2013, according to the Sun This Week. Ebeling was hired as Burnsville's sixth city manager in 2003. He began his career with the city as assistant city engineer in 1987. He was promoted to city engineer in 1988 and was promoted to deputy city manager for parks, planning and public works in 1993. From 1995 to 2001, Ebeling took a job in the private sector as a regional office manager/client services manager for Howard R. Green Co. In 2001, he returned to Burnsville as the city's director of development and redevelopment, a position he held for two years before becoming city manager. As city manager, Ebeling has championed a number of partnerships, with both private entities and other public organizations, according to a city news release. During his tenure, he has regularly engaged Dakota County, other city managers, local school districts and local businesses in discussions about how to work together to provide high-quality services to the community at a lower cost. Under Ebeling's leadership, Burnsville has been a leader in using technology to improve city services and has seen continued growth of its businesses community, the news release said. During his tenure the city also witnessed the construction of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, the Heart of the City downtown area and the Burnsville Surface Water Treatment Plant. Ebeling also had a hand in ensuring the long-term maintenance of the city's infrastructure, having worked to create the city's infrastructure trust fund plan in 1995. The long-range plan for Burnsville's future infrastructure improvements has been used by the city ever since. Burnsville has also consistently maintained a Aaa bond rating under Ebeling's watch. The City Council intends to hire an executive search firm to coordinate the search process for a new city manager and hopes to have a replacement hired by April 1, 2013.
Calaveras County, California (population 45,578): Jeanne Boyce, Calaveras County's administrator, announced her retirement, according to the Calaveras Enterprise. Her last day will be Dec. 30, she said. Boyce, 57, the former director of the county's Health Services Agency, became the county's chief administrative officer in November 2009.
DeKalb County, Illinois (population 43,862): Gary Hanson was named the new DeKalb County administrator Wednesday by a unanimous vote from County Board members, ending a lengthy search process originally expected to end in August, according to the Daily Chronicle. Hanson will replace DeKalb County Administrator Ray Bockman, who has held the position for 28 years, starting in December. Hanson has served in DeKalb County government for 29 years. He will make a base annual salary of $155,000. After being named the new administrator, an emotional Hanson thanked the board members, his mentor Bockman, department heads and his family for their support and confidence. He said he has much to be thankful during this holiday season. A late change in the county's search process opened the door for Hanson to become the next administrator. After leaving interviews with finalists unimpressed in July, board members decided to restart the process and use the opportunity to change requirements for the job. The board changed the county code to allow candidates with 10 years of local government management, nine of which must be at the administrative level, to apply for the position without a master's degree. The previous code required a master's degree in either business or public administration as well as years of experience, although not as many. Board members also hired search firm Voorhees Associates for $19,900 to handle the second round of the candidate search. Not everyone supported Hanson earlier in the process, but they voiced their support Wednesday when the final vote came. Executive committee members including Board Chairman Larry Anderson, R-Malta, Ken Andersen, R-Sycamore and John Gudmunson, R-Somonauk, had recommended finalist Sue McLaughlin to their committee a week earlier but changed their stance Wednesday. Andersen said he was primarily concerned with bringing "new blood" into the county at first, but after thinking about the decision more and speaking with people in the county, he is confident the right person was chosen for the job. Bockman was also honored at the meeting as he was told there would be a bench in his honor installed at one of the county's forest preserves and his final day on the job – Nov. 30 – would be Ray Bockman Day in DeKalb County. After more than 350 County Board meetings, Bockman said he could not have asked for a better ending.
Texarkana, Texas (population 36,411): The new year will bring a new city manager to Texarkana, Texas, according to the Texarkana Gazette. John Whitson will start Jan. 2, with an annual salary of $146,500, according to an employment contract unanimously approved Monday night by the City Council. Whitson, 63, has been the town manager of Morrisville, North Carolina.
Burlingame, California (population 28,806): Burlingame's new city manager, Lisa Goldman, is looking forward to becoming part of the community with which she will be working, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal. Burlingame City Manager Jim Nantell actually retired at the start of 2012 but stayed on through this year while the council searched for a replacement. Goldman, 44, currently serves as the assistant city manager of Alameda. She was unanimously selected by the City Council to replace Nantell on Oct. 30 in closed session. On Monday, the council will formally approve her contract. Under the proposed contract, Goldman will receive an annual salary of $214,000. Goldman was interested in Burlingame because of the city's size and active engagement. She noted it's a well-run city. Goldman knows she has big shoes to fill but is looking forward to working with Nantell for a couple of days in December before he officially retires. Once in office, Goldman's first order of business will be to find a finance director — budget development will begin right away, she noted. Burlingame also has a number of long-term infrastructure projects that Goldman is excited to be a part of, such as the Broadway overpass. However, those projects are not fully funded — another big challenge for Goldman to take on. Goldman, who currently lives in Oakland, has more than 22 years of experience in local government and nonprofits. She spent her first seven years in Palo Alto then grew up in Southern California. After graduating from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in American history, Goldman wasn't sure what to do. She called the local city manager, at her mother's suggestion, in hopes of working on the new recycling projects. As an administrative intern, she was taken under the wing of the city manager who taught her about the various parts of the city. Thinking a career in government may be her path, Goldman moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for three years with U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman. In 1995, Goldman decided to go back to school. She earned her master's degree in public policy from the University of California at Berkeley. She did work in tobacco control just after graduating but missed her government roots by 1999. With some networking, she landed a position with the city of Fremont in government relations. She also took on special projects through February 2007. In 2007, Goldman took a deputy city manager job with Alameda. During 2010, she was named acting city manager. Goldman was promoted to assistant city manager after that position ended. Goldman plans to move to Burlingame and really become part of the community she will be representing. In her free time, she's a competitive swimmer and enjoys road cycling.
Clinton, Iowa (population 26,885): A week after being asked to submit his resignation, Clinton City Administrator Jeff Horne obliged, according to the Clinton Herald. Horne stepped down after Clinton City Council members requested his resignation during a special meeting. Horne's employment is still pending a resolution from the Clinton City Council. Mayor Mark Vulich said the Nov. 27 Council meeting will include a discussion on the procedure for selecting a new city administrator. Horne's contract stipulates he will receive six months aggregate salary and six months of family health insurance. The severance will not include any deferred compensation, retirement, car allowance, or IPERS payment. The Council requested Horne to resign after nearly a month of his absence from City Hall, which he previously attributed to resolving "personal issues." According to a memo from Vulich, Council members have formed a special committee in the past during the selection process for hiring a new city administrator. More discussion during the Nov. 27 meeting will include how the city administrator duties will be handled during the search process, Vulich said.Horne was hired by the city in October 2009 with a salary of $95,000. Horne worked as the city administrator for Mitchellville before accepting the position in Clinton.
Claremore, Oklahoma (population 18,581): Claremore has hired a Rhode Island resident as its new city manager, spokeswoman Cassie Woods said Friday, according to the Tulsa World. Jim Thomas of West Warwick, R.I., will succeed Daryl Golbek, who announced in June that he was resigning from that position but would continue as the public works director. Thomas will assume his new post Nov. 26, Woods said. He has governmental administrative experience in six states, last serving as a town administrator in Kingston, Mass., a town of about 12,500 residents. He has held similar jobs in Rhode Island, Colorado, Wisconsin, Illinois and Utah. He received a bachelor's degree in political science and administration from Weber State University in Utah and a master's degree in public administration from Brigham Young University.
Winchester, Kentucky (population 18,368): After more than six years at the post, Ken Kerns will retire as Winchester city manager at the end of the year, according to The Winchester Sun. The commission thanked Kerns for his service. Commissioner Shannon Cox told Kerns he would be missed. Book said Kerns was the best city manager he's worked with since joining the commission. After the measure passed unamiously, Burtner told Kerns the commission appreciated him very much. The board reluctantly approved a measure that accepts Kerns' retirement effective Dec. 31.
Bellaire, Texas (population 16,855): Bellaire City Manager Bernie Satterwhite tonight announced that he plans to retire in 2014. Satterwhite made his announcement during his city manager's report to city council. At the end of the council meeting, Councilmember Corbett Parked publically thanked Satterwhite for his service, which was followed by applause from council. Satterwhite was hired as Bellaire's city manager in 2000. Prior to coming to work for the city, he spent two years as executive director of the United Way of Lauderdale County in Meridian, Miss and 25 years in the U.S. Navy as a pilot. He retired as Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. in 1998. Satterwhite also had his 12th annual city manager evaluation tonight. The city council unanimously approved a salary of $151,925, or a three percent raise, for the city manager.
Abington, Massachusetts (population 15,985): John D'Agostino was hired as Abington's Town Manager in 2010 but along the way he's ruffled feathers, according to Selectmen who voted 3-2 to not renew another three contract with D'Agostino. The Town Manager's annual salary has been about $120,000. Selectmen Chair Andrew Burbine was the only board member who spoke in favor of keeping D'Agostino because he believes D'Agostino showed leadership when Abington's budget was cut by $1 million last year. However the other four Abington Selectmen say that D'Agostino has a problem with maintaining positive relationships, explaining that he doesn't have the composure or attitude to be a Town Manager. It was Selectmen Kevin Donovan who made the motion to not reappoint D'Agostino once his contract expires in April. D'Agostino will not be paid severance because Abington Selectmen believe he breached his contract by failing to work in harmony and respect with other town boards and committees. His last day is April 26th, 2013.
Dallas, Oregon (population 14,583): The city of Dallas announced Tuesday that it has appointed Ronald Foggin as its new city manager, according to the Statesman Journal. Foggin will begin serving on Jan. 2. He replaces Jerry Wyatt who resigned July 2 amid city financial irregularities. Wyatt formally was charged with 17 counts, including felony counts of aggravated theft and computer crimes. He has pleaded not guilty. Foggin most recently served as the assistant city administrator in Lehi, Utah, population 47,000, where he worked 15 years, including five in his current position and five as the city's finance director. He holds a degree in political science from Brigham Young University and a Masters of Public Administration from BYU's Marriott School of Management.
Yankton, South Dakota (population 14,454): The City of Yankton announced Nov. 1 that the current city manager of Canton will take that position here beginning Jan. 2, according to the Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan. Amy Nelson, 35, has been the city manager of the southeast South Dakota community of approximately 3,000 residents for the past four years. The announcement of Yankton's first female city manager came during a media conference at City Hall Thursday with many city department heads in attendance. Nelson is a native of Ortonville, Minn., has a bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University-Moorhead and a master's degree from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She has worked in a couple states in positions that include downtown development director and a senior community planner prior to becoming the city manager of Canton. Mayor Nancy Wenande cited Nelson's background in both the private and public sectors as reasons for her selection.
Hendersonville, North Carolina (population 13,137): Bo Ferguson is resigning as Hendersonville's city manager at the end of the year to take a position as deputy city manager over operations in Durham, according to the Times-News. Ferguson will join City Manager Tom Bonfield at the helm in Durham on Jan. 7. Ferguson is set to lead the city's Operations Team, a group of departments tasked with delivering traditional governmental services that most directly impact residents on a day-to-day basis. Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Collis, who was on the council that interviewed and hired Ferguson, said the city will definitely miss him. Steve Caraker was a newly elected member of the council when he sat in on the final rounds of interviews to find a city manager five years ago. He said that Ferguson impressed him from the beginning. He remembered Ferguson even apologizing during the interview because he was taking notes to prepare for future questions. Ferguson commended City Council for its work. He added that he has also enjoyed working with city staff. Ferguson said he's confident the council will find a city manager who represents those values and that Mayor Barbara Volk is currently exploring options for transitioning to Hendersonville's next city manager. In Durham, Ferguson will oversee about two-thirds of the city's workforce — 2,200 staff members. Ferguson has 16 years of experience in local government management. Prior to working for Hendersonville, he served as assistant town manager and finance officer for the town of Black Mountain; assistant to the city manager in the city of Rockville, Md.; and senior management analyst with the city of Greenbelt, Md. Ferguson will fill the deputy city manager chair left vacant by Theodore Vorhees, who left Durham to serve as city manager of Fayetteville in August.
Glades County, Florida (population 12,884): Commissioners in attendance at Monday's Glades County Commission meeting included Dennis Griffin, Donna Storter, Paul Beck, Russell Echols and Tim Stanley, according to Southwest Florida Online. Commissioner Storter moved to terminate the employment of county manager Wendell Taylor without cause effective immediately. Motion carried 3-2 with Echols and Griffin dissenting. Complaints had been filed against Taylor, a retired USAF Colonel, by two Glades County employees accusing the county manager of bullying and threatening employees and of using profane language in front of them. Earl Cline, a maintenance tech filed a grievance in April 2012 saying "G.D. is used almost daily, taking the name of God in vain" and was "obscenely screaming 'F–k Donna'" referring to Commissioner Storter. 911 Coordinator Terri Anascavage complained that Taylor came to her office three times saying "spies were watching"" her. She went to Commissioner Jones, and claimed Taylor then started retaliation and harassment against her. Commissioner Stanley led discussion at the commission meeting about temporary positioning other employees to cover the vacant county manager position. Stanley felt county employees should receive official written notice of the vacancy with direction for "chain of command". County Attorney Pringle suggested until the Board can move via advertised agenda in public meeting to proceed to fill the county manager position, that county business can be handled as it has been in the past during county manager's absence when on leave by Deputy County Manager Larry Hilton.
Shiloh, Illinois (population 12,651): The Village Board has hired a Michigan man with more than 30 years of municipal experience as its first village administrator, according to the Belleville News Democrat. John Marquart of Iron Mountain, Mich., will start work in Shiloh on Dec. 10 and will oversee the day-to-day operations of the village. According to the employment agreement, Marquart's initial term will be five months ending May 6, 2013. Thereafter, the term of village administrator will be four years to run concurrent with the term of the mayor. Marquart will earn a salary of 78,000 annually plus benefits with increases in compensation considered on an annual basis, and the village will cover Marquart's moving expenses at a cost of 3,200. Marquart previously served as city administrator in Oak Forest, Ill., and as city manager in Iron Mountain, Mich. He has also held similar positions in several other cities in Illinois and Pennsylvania. In addition, he has experience in economic development after several years as the executive director of the Marinette County Association for Business and Industry in Wisconsin. Marquart holds a master's degree in political science/public administration from Western Illinois University and has been an International City/County Management Association credentialed manager.
South Miami, Florida (population 11,657): South Miami commissioners fired their fourth city manager since 2009 during a contentious meeting Nov. 9, according to The Miami Herald. Outgoing City Manager Hector Mirabile said Friday that his last year working for South Miami was far worse than being under daily attack as a lieutenant colonel in Ramadi, Iraq, where he was stationed in 2009. With tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat, Mirabile told the crowd at the commission meeting that he was proud of his team and all that they had accomplished during the two years in the city. Some city employees, including South Miami's director of human resources LaTasha M. Nickle, walked out of the meeting crying. Others filed up into his office to hug him. Commissioners voted 3-2 to fire Mirabile without cause. South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard, a biology professor turned politician, led the effort after accusing Mirabile and "his friend," South Miami Police Chief Orlando Martinez de Castro, of turning the city into a "hostile" place. Commissioners Bob Welsh and Walter Harris supported Stoddard's effort. Vice Mayor Josh Liebman and Commissioner Valerie Newman dissented. The city charter entitles a manager fired without cause to a month's salary and benefits as severance, but Mirabile's contract stipulates that a firing without cause before Sept. 20, 2015, required the city to pay his full salary as a "consultant" with benefits for six months. Under the contract's terms, Mirabile received $140,000 in salary, and benefits included a $150 cellphone and $650 car allowance each month, plus a monthly $680 for health insurance coverage. Mirabile also receives benefits from the city of Miami. Mirabile came to the city loaded with experience as a former Miami police major, Army National Guard veteran, and Miami's interim director of community development and director of employee relations. He is also board chairman for the United Police Federal Credit Union, which represents police departments, including Miami, West Miami and the Miami-Dade County school district police. In 2010, Mirabile replaced former acting city manager Buford "Randy" Witt, a retired Air Force general and former Miami-Dade chief information officer. Witt had replaced interim city manager Roger M. Carlton, who took Ajibola Balogun's place after he was fired in 2009. A year ago, commissioners extended Mirabile's three-year contract to two more years. Before being fired, Witt chose Martinez de Castro as one of three finalists. Martinez de Castro, who worked in the Miami Police Department in the early 1980s with Mirabile, held several posts in South Miami, including public works director and assistant city manager before then-City Manager Maria Davis appointed him as police chief in October 2003. Martinez de Castro resigned in March 2006 and returned in 2010. One of Mirabile's biggest accomplishments: He restructured the police pension plan and moved toward a defined-contribution plan. Commissioners named Kelly Barket as the acting city manager, while they look for an interim manager.
Sonoma, California (population 10,648): City Manager Linda Kelly is leaving Sonoma to accept the position of town manager of Windsor, effective Dec. 13, according to the Sonoma News. Kelly has served as the city manager of Sonoma since January 2008, and has worked with the City Council and staff in managing through the recession, the dissolution of the city's redevelopment agency and the budget challenges that have impacted the Sonoma economy. Kelly, reached by phone Wednesday night, said her decision had nothing to do with job satisfaction in Sonoma. Kelly explained that the opportunity to apply for the Windsor job came up when longtime Town Manager Matt Mullan announced his retirement. Like Sonoma, Windsor has a five-person City Council, with a rotating mayor and a fulltime town manager. Kelly said she will assume her new job in mid-December in order to have some overlap with Mullan, who leaves at the end of the year.
Sonoma City Council announced Monday night that current Assistant City Manager Carol Giovanatto will be the next city manager, effective Dec. 13, according to the SonomaPatch. The appointment is subject to formal adoption of an employment agreement at the council's next regular meeting Dec. 3. Giovanatto has been with the City for 11 years. She also currently serves as Administrative Services Director, City Treasurer and head of the Finance Department. She will replace current City Manager Linda Kelly who was recently appointed as the Town Manager of Windsor. The council announced its appointment after a closed session at its Monday meeting, according to a news release.
Molalla, Oregon (population 8,108): Ellen Barnes will leave after a year as Molalla city manager under a "mutual agreement" approved at a special session of the Molalla City Council, according to The Oregonian. Barnes will remain in City Hall for 30 days or until the city chooses an interim city manager, for which they will begin searching immediately. She will receive severance pay totaling $21,000 over the next three months, unless she accepts a job within that time period. The decision came after a 75-minute executive session, in which the council, city attorney and Barnes discussed private details of the agreement. About ten residents attended the public meeting afterward, which began 45 minutes late and lasted a few minutes. Councilor Jim Needham, a candidate for mayor, dissented in the 5-1 council vote. Mayor Mike Clarke declined to elaborate on what led to the split. Barnes started as city manager last October. She moved to Molalla with her husband and two daughters from Gold Beach, where she served as city administrator. Shortly after she arrived, she uncovered a financial mess that was years in the making, brought in a forensic auditor to help sort through the books, and began making cuts to keep Molalla from ending the year $400,000 in the red. Those cuts included four layoffs, which she said added stress among the remaining city staff. In a statement released Tuesday night, the city thanked Barnes for her leadership and for "professionally and ably" assisting the city through its financial issues. Barnes said the year has been a challenging one. She said "philosophical disagreements" contributed to her departure. She said the changes she initiated in City Hall to balance the budget created a "culture shock" for council and staff. Needham, the only council member to oppose tonight's decision, called the meeting "deplorable." After the brief public meeting, Molalla residents lingered with unanswered questions about Barnes' departure.
Globe, Arizona (population 7,532): Brent Billingsley of Maricopa was chosen as City Manager by a confident Globe City Council on Nov. 8, according to the Copper Country News. The move will be formally adopted at the regular meeting on Nov. 19, and Billingsley will begin work on Jan. 2, 2013. The League of Arizona Cities and Governments had supplied 60 impressive candidates, and the Council interviewed the top 10, a lengthy process. Billingsley, 37, showed both experience and youthful energy, and Acting Manager Cynthia Seelhammer had declared him a hard worker. Billingsley has directed the Development Service and the Transportation Office for the City of Maricopa. He was a project manager for an engineering firm and Transportation Planner for Pinal County. He held two leadership offices in CAAG. A graduate of NAU, he majored in Public Planning/Civil Engineering.
Columbiana, Ohio (population 6,384): Not only is the city losing its manager, but his backup is also retiring after 18 years, according to the Morning Journal News. Service Director Jay Groner, who was appointed to the position by City Manager Keith Chamberlin in 1994, has announced he is retiring after more than 40 years of working in Columbiana. Groner told city officials of his intention to retire after Chamberlin announced he was leaving the position he has held the last 20 years. Both said their decisions were based solely on changes to the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (PERS). The changes were signed into law by Gov. John Kasich and take effect Jan. 7, 2013. They increase employee contributions, compute new final average salaries, require longer service and reduce cost-of-living adjustments. A September article in the Columbus Dispatch said the changes are to ensure that the pension systems can meet the state requirement that their unfunded liabilities be paid off within 30 years. Groner and Chamberlin both said it makes no financial sense for them to remain in the positions after the changes take effect. Groner' first job was with the park, and over the years he has worked in other departments, including serving as cemetery superintendent 15 years. He doesn't intend to be rehired by the city after his retirement although he does intend to continue working in some capacity. He and Chamberlin will both be leaving on Dec. 31, and Chamberlin said he will not appoint the new service director. That will be a task for the new city manager. Mayor David Spatholt said he, Councilman Bob Bieshelt and council clerk Deann Davis are getting together to come up with minimum requirements for the city manager position. The job has not formally been posted as open but it will be advertised soon, he added. Councilman Bryan Blakeman said 12 people submitted input through the city's website, its Facebook page and his own personal website regarding the attributes the next manager should possess. He also said that during the closed door meetings council has held to discuss the position they are all "on the same page" regarding the type of person who should be hired. Chamberlin and Groner are making $86,000 and $65,000 a year, respectively.
Marion, Virginia (population 5,968): After more than 12 years of serving Marion as its manager, John Clark is planning to retire in early 2013, according to SWVA Today. The town has begun the process of advertising with the Virginia Municipal League in its electronic newsletter and on its website for applications. The job description and an application are also available on the town's website, http://www.marionva.org. Applications are due by 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. The ad strives to describe the tasks before potential candidates. Candidates are asked to possess a bachelor's degree with a minimum of three years experience. A master's degree in public administration, business administration, law, engineering or related fields is preferred. Salary is dependent upon qualifications. Clark, a native of the Broadford community, graduated from Rich Valley High School and holds a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech. He joined Marion's staff in November 2000 after serving four years as the town manager of Saltville. He had previously served nine years as the town manager of Chilhowie and held the same post for the towns of Tazewell and Independence. He had also worked in public administration with the Mt. Rogers Planning District Commission. When he was offered the Marion position, Clark said it had been a long-term personal goal to return as the town manager after his first job, which was a temporary position with the town of Marion.
Stone Mountain, Georgia (population 5,802): The Stone Mountain City Council finalized the firing of City Manager Barry Amos in a resolution at a special called meeting Monday night, according to the StoneMountain-LithoniaPatch. Amos was suspended from office in a preliminary resolution by the council two weeks ago for "failure to communicate in a reliable and consistent manner," as Mayor Pat Wheeler said at both meetings. Amos had five days to file a petition for a hearing after the first resolution, but he did not do so, Wheeler said. Council members declined to discuss in detail the reason for Amos' firing, but member Steve Higgins said the council had about eight or 10 examples, some having to do with communication with city staff, including the police department. Amos' removal was effective immediately with the vote. Former Mayor Gary Peet is serving as interim city manager for six months. Amos was not present at the meeting and couldn't be reached for comment.
Cherryville, North Carolina (population 5,760): Lowell City Manager Ben Blackburn will become the new manager in Cherryville, where he grew up, according to WCNC. Cherryville Mayor Bob Austell said on Wednesday local leaders were delighted that Blackburn, who was Cherryville's city manager in 2000-02, had accepted the job offer in a place recently shaken by scandals. Suspicion of credit-card misuse led to the resignation or retirement of two long-time Cherryville employees; a former city manager was fired; the FBI filed criminal charges against three police officers; and the police chief and a captain were suspended. Investigations of the City Hall and police department are ongoing. Meanwhile, Cherryville Fire Chief Jeff Cash has been serving as acting city manager. Austell thinks Blackburn will help the city regain public trust. Blackburn begins his new job on Dec. 1 at a salary of $72,000, Austell said. Blackburn, 52, is a 1985 graduate of Appalachian State University with a bachelor's degree in political science and town and county management. He's also taken post-graduate public administration courses at Appalachian. He worked two years in the Watauga County tax collector's office and eight years in the district attorney's office in Boone as a victim/witness coordinator. From 1994 until 2000, Blackburn was Cherryville's planning director. As Lowell city manager, he's proud of the progress made in downtown revitalization, the creation of a merchants association and farmers market. He also notes sidewalk improvements as a major accomplishment. Leaving Lowell, population 3,600 and just across Gaston County from Cherryville, was a tough decision because "it's a wonderful town," Blackburn said. While he knows Cherryville is facing some problems, Blackburn hopes "I can be able to assist them and make it a better town." Lowell Mayor Judy Horne said Blackburn has done "an excellent" job during his 10 ½ years there.
Jaffrey, New Hampshire (population 5,457): Town officials have started a search to find a new town manager, according to the Sentinel Source. Michael J. Hartman, town manager for the past five years, has accepted a similar position in Stoughton, Mass. Hartman was offered the Massachusetts job in September, and previously said he was considering taking it because it's closer to his residence in Canton, Mass., a town with a population of nearly 30,000. While Hartman has an apartment in Jaffrey during the week, he commutes back to Massachusetts on the weekends. Hartman was on vacation Wednesday and could not be reached for comment. His last day is Dec. 14, Selectmen Chairwoman Jeanne LaBrie said. A search committee for his replacement will consist of five people, including town employees and Jaffrey residents, LaBrie said. Town officials will also be hiring a consulting firm to help them post the job ad and sift through candidates' resumes. LaBrie did not know how much officials will spend to hire the firm. Ideally, Jaffrey, a town with a population of a bit more than 5,000, will have a new manager within three months, LaBrie said. Until then, Department of Public Works Director Randy Heglin will act as interim town manager. Heglin performed that role in 2006 when then-town manager Jonathan Sistare was called for military service. The town hired Hartman in 2007. LaBrie did not know how much Hartman will be making at his new job, but said it's considerably more than Jaffrey can give him. Before coming to Jaffrey, Hartman was a town administrator in both Wareham and Medway, Mass. LaBrie said she understands why Hartman has accepted the new Massachusetts position, but the town will miss him.
High Springs, Florida (population 5,350): The High Springs City Commission ranked Edwin Booth as their top city manager candidate and agreed to offer him the position, contingent on an acceptable background check, during the regular commission meeting held on Thursday, Oct. 25, according to Alachua County Today. While Scott Lippman was chosen by all five commissioners, Booth was the only one to be ranked number one by the majority of the commission. All five candidates interviewed during the Monday, Oct. 22 meeting scored well. But Lippman's inability to relocate to High Springs was concerning to Mayor Dean Davis and Commissioner Sue Weller, who said they ranked him lower for that reason. Booth, who presently lives in South Carolina, indicated his willingness to relocate to the area if he selected by the commission. Following the ranking, Commissioner Weller moved and Vice-Mayor Bob Barnas seconded a motion to offer Booth the position as part of the next step in the hiring process; once again stressing the offer would be contingent on an acceptable background check. Following discussion about the method and cost of conducting the background check, the commission directed City Attorney Scott Walker to have his firm vet the candidate. Negotiating a salary agreement was discussed, but was not assigned. Contingent upon successful negotiations, it is anticipated that Walker will draw up a detailed agreement stipulating the terms and length of the contract for both parties to approve. As reported in the Oct. 25 edition of Alachua County Today, Booth holds a BS in Management from Columbia College, a MA in Public Administration from Webster University, a MS in Military Science from Command & General Staff College. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel with more than 20 years experience in all phases of utility management, police, fire and rescue experience, budget planning and preparation, master planning, economic development and staff management. He also has had extensive experience in zoning and planning issues and served on the Board of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council for three years. More recently, Booth has been the Town Administrator for Surfside Beach, SC. Previously he served as the Town Administrator for Malabar, Fla., the City Manager in Ayden, NC, Commander, Dugway Proving Ground, UT, with 1,200 housing units under military control, City Manager, West Point, NE and Community Manager Fulda Military Community, with 1,800 housing units under military control.
Perry, Oklahoma (population 5,126): Mary Rupp worked for the city of Stillwater for 35 years. She started Nov. 1 as the city manager of Perry, according to the Stillwater NewsPress. She was first a secretary for the city manager and then an assistant city manager in Stillwater. When she left the city in February 2011, her title was deputy city manager. Rupp said the position was similiar to being an assistant, but with more direct supervision. Rupp said the city reorganized and eliminated her position. She said in recognition of her service with the city, she was given a separation agreement where she is paid through Dec. 31. She also will remain on Stillwater's health insurance plan until Jan. 1, 2014. Part of her employment agreement with the city of Perry is that the money the city would be paying for her health insurance will be added to her base pay. She said her base pay is $80,000 a year and the value Perry officials put on paying her insurance is $10,000 a year. After Jan 1, 2014, Rupp will enroll in the city of Perry's health insurance plan and not receive the extra stipend. Sherry Fletcher, director of marketing and public relations for the city of Stillwater, said representatives of Stillwater could not comment on a former employee's health insurance plan. Stillwater City Clerk Cindy Pollard said Rupp's employment was from July 6, 1976 to December 31, 2011. Rupp said she lived all her adult life in Perry after moving from northeast Kansas. She graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in education with a business speciality. Her first job was teaching in Kansas schools. She moved to Perry with her husband who is from Perry. She has two adult sons and five grandchildren. She worked at Oklahoma State University for a year before starting with the city of Stillwater. She became assistant city manager in 1987 and was made deputy city manager shortly after Dan Galloway was hired as Stillwater's city manager in 2005. Rupp said when she left the City of Stillwater she was not ready to retire. Stillwater gave her the opportunity to learn and grow, she said. Rupp, 60, said standard retirement age of 66 is getting closer. Rupp said Perry city manager was a natural fit for her. She said Perry changed to a council/manager form of government about seven years ago.
Milton, New Hampshire (population 4,598): Town Administrator Tony Mincu resigned Friday, effective immediately, and selectmen will soon begin the search to replace him, according to Foster's Daily Democrat. Mincu has served the town as a town administrator since 2010. In his letter of resignation, submitted Friday, he stated he wanted to further his career, said Selectman Bob Bridges. He said that for the past two weeks or so, Mincu has been talking about getting back into the legal field. Mincu previously has worked as an attorney, said Bridges. While working with the town Mincu had been receiving a salary of $1,320 per week. Initially, he had a one-year employment contract with the town, but in 2011 selectmen extended his contract for three years, to expire in 2014. While there was a financial package given him upon his resignation, Bridges said he would not give details on what that package included. After being hired by the town in 2010, Mincu told Foster's that he was excited about the job in Milton and he looked forward to the challenge of straightening out the town's financial situation. Previously, he worked as a town administrator for Farmington, but his position there ended in June 2010 for unknown reasons. Milton selectmen will soon be meeting with representatives from the town's insurance company, which will provide resources to help search for a new town administrator. The scope of the search has not yet been determined, said Bridges. Until a new town administrator is found, Bridges will be overseeing the day-to-day operations at the Town Hall. The other two Selectmen, Tom Gray and Bob Srnec, will take on some administrative duties if needed, said Bridges. Selectmen officially accepted Mincu's resignation during a special meeting.
Sykesville, Maryland (population 4,436): Sykesville's new town manager began Nov. 13, the day of the town's first November meeting, according to the Carroll County Times. Dawn Ashbacher was one of three candidates selected to interview with the town council in a September visit to Sykesville. Ashbacher's previous experience is primarily in Virginia, with more than seven years of government experience, according to a release from the town of Sykesville. Ashbacher previously worked as Assistant to the City Manager in Winchester, Va., and Assistant Director of the Planning Commission and a budget analyst for Fairfax County. Sykesville hired an outside firm in order to find candidates from across the nation. In a previous interview, Ashbacher said she visited the town before applying, and was impressed with the town. Former Sykesville town manager Matt Candland left after more than 17 years with the town in July. Police chief John Williams has been acting as interim town manager and police chief since July.
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina (population 4,245): Larry South, an Ashe County native and town manager of Hillsville, Va., for almost 19 years, was unanimously chosen Nov. 8 by the North Wilkesboro town board as the new manager, according to the Wilkes Journal-Patriot. South has accepted the position and will begin here Monday, Dec. 3, after finding a residence in the town. His wife and children plan to remain in Hillsville for the remainder of the school year. North Wilkesboro Mayor Robert Johnson said South has agreed to a starting salary of $83,116, which is higher than the advertised starting salary of $75,000 for the position but lower than the $87,000 that the town was paying former Town Manager Hank Perkins when he announced his resignation in June. Perkins resigned to accept the position as town manager in Lewisville. Former Wilkes County Manager Cecil Wood has served as the town's interim manager since July 6. South, who had served for 18 years, 10 months as Hillsville town manager without a contract, resigned along with Police Chief Steve Williams following a closed session at the conclusion of a Hillsville town council meeting this past summer. His last day was June 29. South said he grew up in Glendale Springs, and his parents, Glen and Vilena South, live on the New River in Ashe. South graduated from Appalachian State with a bachelor's of science degree with a major in business administration and a minor in political science. He served as Ashe County manager for four years and later worked in Raleigh for the Division of Environment, Health and Natural Resources for 18 months before succeeding former Wilkes County Manager John Barber as the Davie County manager for 3½ years. From Davie, he moved to Hillsville. South has two daughters from a previous marriage who still live in Ashe. He and his wife, Shelia, have two daughters, Savannah 15, and Mallory, 10. Bert Hall made the motion to hire South. South is 56. Commissioner Bart Hayes thanked Wood for serving as interim manager.
Basalt, Colorado (population 3,857): The new town manager of Basalt said Tuesday that he accepted the position because of the vast potential of the town and the people he met during a four-day visit in September, according to The Aspen Times. Mike Scanlon is currently the city administrator of Mission, Kan., a town of 9,300 people near Kansas City. He was offered a contract for the Basalt post in late October by the Town Council and accepted. He will start in early December. Scanlon, 51, and his wife, Kelly, have two grown daughters, Katie, 26, and Megan, 21. He is an avid cyclist. Scanlon joked that Basalt and its wonderful Rocky Mountain environment hold a lot of appeal for a guy from eastern Kansas. Many of the other applicants for the manager's post came from Colorado and surrounding states, so they already had a leg up on him when it came to the outdoor lifestyle. In addition to the alluring outdoor lifestyle, Scanlon said he was impressed with the people he met inside and outside government in Basalt. He was treated well at Café Bernard, the parish at St. Vincent Catholic Church welcomed him, he was impressed with the way residents came together to improve the deck of the 7-Eleven pedestrian bridge, the Basalt Regional Library staff was professional and polite, and the town staff and Town Council members put him at ease. The council members might not always agree, he said, but they all work toward the best interests of Basalt. Scanlon has served in government for nearly 30 years. He was appointed to his current position in Mission in August 2003. He manages the city's day-to-day operations and implements the policies set by the council. He oversees 70 city staff employees, though the city's operation of a recreation center and department boosts the worker count to 125 to 130 full-time equivalents. He said he is proud of what his team has accomplished in Mission. It probably has more of a "Colorado feel" than some towns in Colorado, he said. While working with younger folks entering government service, Scanlon said he stresses to them that pay isn't the most important factor for a good job and that location isn't necessarily critical. The most important quality is finding people passionate about their place. Scanlon said he has a passion for getting done what the community wants done. That's accomplished by getting community members involved in "visioning" and then working with the elected officials to set a course and execute that vision. He said he's not afraid to get his hands dirty by participating in the work of a town government. But he also feels he has a knack for the big picture — imagining a place three or four generations down the road. He won't have a lack of projects to work on when he arrives in Basalt. The Town Council and Planning Commission have started review of the Pan and Fork Mobile Home Park redevelopment. The proposal includes mixed uses of commercial and residential space and a Hyatt Place Hotel. A nonprofit campus is also in the mix. One of the biggest challenges will be finding replacement housing for the 38 individuals and families living at the mobile-home park. The town is also in the beginning stages of reviewing a continuing-care community proposed by Aspen Valley Medical Foundation in the South Side neighborhood. Scanlon said his excitement over Basalt's future played a role in his decision to accept the job. He said former Basalt Town Manager Bill Kane expressed that rosy outlook better than he could. While meeting with the six candidates vying to be his successor, Kane said if Basalt was selling stock, he'd recommend buying. Scanlon is buying. He and the council negotiated a contract that will pay him $125,000 plus provide a housing allowance for one year.
Quartzite, Arizona (population 3,677): The Quartzsite Town Council has voted to dismiss Town Manager Alexandra Taft, according to the Parker Pioneer. The 6 to 1 vote came following an executive session at the council's Nov. 13 meeting. Taft had been on administrative leave since Aug. 28. No explanation was given for the leave or the dismissal. The only "no" vote came from Councilwoman Patricia Workman. Taft is one of three top officials in the town who have been dismissed in the last month. Assistant Town Manager Al Johnson and Town Attorney Martin Brannan were both dismissed in late October. The action item to dismiss Taft was placed on the agenda by Interim Town Manager Laura Bruno. Prior to the vote, Councilman Mark Orgeron motioned to have several items placed by Workman and Mayor Ed Foster removed from the agenda. These included an item from Workman seeking to dismiss Bruno and reinstating Taft. As part of the discussion of Orgeron's motion, Workman said she believed having Bruno placing the agenda item to have Taft dismissed constituted a conflict of interest under Arizona Revised Statutes 39-501 and 511. The other items Orgeron motioned to have removed from the agenda included a resolution from Workman to have the council nominate and approve two members to serve as contact persons with the Arizona Municipal Risk Retention Pool on the town's insurance. The resolution states these members would also serve as contacts with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, and that the town manager would provide these members with all necessary resources, information and quotes regarding insurance. The items Foster placed included action items regarding the times for regular council meetings, modifications to the town code regarding the bidding process, restoring "Call to the Public" to the council meetings, changing the duties of the town attorney, and discussion and possible action on the town manager's position. Orgeron told the council he wanted these items removed because he had been in contact with the municipal risk pool, and they had told him the town's continued factional fighting was not helping things in terms of having the town's insurance restored. The council approved Orgeron's motion to have these items removed. In another matter, Bruno reported the town had been in contact with an insurance broker who specialized in hard-to-place municipalities. She said they would be receiving quotes from 15 insurance companies. Bruno gave a brief history of what led up to the risk retention pool deciding to discontinue the town's coverage. The pool informed the Town of their consideration of canceling the town's insurance in September unless certain conditions were met. In early October, the pool decided to cancel the insurance. Bruno said the primary reason for the cancellation was the level of litigation against the town, much of it due to the factional fighting. She said 25 lawsuits had been filed against the town in 2011 and 2012, and 21 of those were unsettled. Bruno said some currently vacant positions would not be filled due to an expected increase in the town's insurance costs. These positions included Assistant Town Manager and Assistant Town Clerk.
Monticello, Georgia (population 2,657): Monticello City Council members welcomed Tim Sweezey, the new city manager, at their regular business meeting November 13, according to The Monticello News. This was Mr. Sweezey's first official business meeting although he has been in Monticello for about three weeks, and hit the ground running. Council members had dinner with Mr. Sweezey upon his arrival. Mr. Sweezey said that when he took the job, he met with department heads both independently and collaboratively and there was an overwhelming majority that said there was a distinct lack of leadership. That being corrected is one direction that Mr. Sweezey is improving. Mr. Sweezey also told the council that he met with Robert Jordan, the city engineer. He said that they are working on the outlined projects, including the laptop issue in the police cars. Mr. Sweezey said that he and Chief Bobby Norris had to collaborate and be sure that the grant for these laptops was 100 percent refundable, but that was the goal. He then told the council that he has an open door policy and believes in the chain of command. In meetings he wants the employee and the supervisor.
New Durham, New Hampshire (population 2,638): After stepping down from her post as town administrator, Alison Webb has taken a position with the City of Dover and Durham resident Jeremy Bourgeois has stepped in to take her place at Town Hall, according to Foster's Daily Democrat. Bourgeois, 25, told Foster's he moved to Durham and subsequently had to step out of the running for the District 8 state representative race this year, after getting the job to serve as New Durham's town administrator. He started on Oct. 2 and also holds a part-time position as a housing director for a University of New Hampshire (UNH) fraternity. Bourgeois said New Durham is a jumping-off point for his hopeful lifetime career in municipal work. A Rochester native, Bourgeois graduated from Spaulding High School in 2005 before pursuing an associate degree at UNH in community leadership. He received a political science bachelor's degree in 2009 and then shortly after served in a fellowship with the Municipal Management Association of New Hampshire. The program is designed around the association's partnership with UNH and the New Hampshire Local Government Center. Bourgeois graduated with a master's degree in public administration in December 2011. In that time, he shadowed the Derry town administrator in the summer of 2011, as well, learning the ropes of an administrator's post. For the future, he said he hopes to serve as a town or city manager and may even dabble in the political field. Bourgeois noted Webb was well respected by the community during her time in New Durham. She is now serving in the human resources department in the City of Dover. He added a major goal for the future of the town is the renovation of the Town Hall building, including repairs to the exterior and putting in new restrooms, as well as making the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Laurel Park, North Carolina (population 2,180): Laurel Park Town Manager Jim Ball has told the town council that he will be retiring from his position on Dec. 1, 2013, according to WHKP. Ball made the announcement to allow sufficient time for the town to find a new manager. Ball has served as town manager for more than 15 years.
Winnebago, Minnesota (population 1,437): A former Winnebago Council member will be stepping up as the new City Administrator, according to the Fairbault County Register. The city hired Chris Ziegler at a starting salary of $52,000. He will officially begin on Monday, Dec. 3. Ziegler had announced at the July 10 council meeting that he would not be seeking re-election to the council at the beginning of next year. However, when former Winnebago City Administrator Austin Bleess resigned from the position in October, Ziegler announced he was going to leave the council even sooner than anticipated. It was his desire to apply for the City Administrator position so he resigned as a council member in order for his application to be considered. The council selected Ziegler to be interviewed as one of the top six candidates out of 11 applicants. From there he was chosen as one of the three finalists and was interviewed on Nov. 1. He was offered the position after the second round of interviews were conducted at the special meeting. It was announced on that day they would extend the offer to Ziegler. He signed his contract for employment between himself and the city on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Wendell Sande, of South Central Service Cooperative and current interim administrator for the city of Winnebago, has been handling the duties in the office for the time being. Ziegler lives in Winnebago and is the director of business management for Human Services of Faribault and Martin counties. He has experience working in the city office and with much of the computer software the city of Winnebago uses for budgets and payroll. As stated in his interview, Ziegler is confident and ready to be working with the current city employees.
Lake Park, Iowa (popuation 1,105): City leaders in Lake Park will be conducting their second administrator search in less than a year, according to the Dickinson County News. City Administrator George McGuire is leaving the position effective Dec. 30. The city was accepting applications through Nov. 19 for the opening. McGuire said the decision didn't come easily. McGuire put a number of projects into motion upon his arrival. He helped initiate and break ground on the new housing development on the southwest potion of town. Plans for a new apartment complex are planned this spring. McGuire also worked on a partnership with the school district to construct a concession stand in the parks. McGuire also said he has been working with the city to incorporate new ways to attract potential businesses to the area. Lake Park Mayor John Engel said he wasn't surprised with McGuire's decision. The city of Lake Park has put out a number of calls for applicants. They are looking for someone who has a vast knowledge of government operations, facilities and other policies and budgets necessary to the city. The candidate will be able to keep both the mayor and city council informed of anything concerning the city.
East Hampton Village, New York (population 1,083): Larry Cantwell, the East Hampton Village administrator, will retire in 2013, according to The East Hampton Star. Mr. Cantwell served on the East Hampton Town Board for five and a half years, from 1977 to 1982, and made an unsuccessful bid for supervisor against the Republican incumbent, Mary Fallon, in 1981. He has since served on the town planning board and the East Hampton Housing Authority. But he first entered town politics in 1975, when at age 25 he was elected bay constable, becoming the town's youngest elected official and "the first Democrat elected to that position in 42 years," he said. His final year on the town board was a fractious one. Just after the 1981 election, he said, Republicans announced plans to abolish the Planning Department and hire a consultant instead. At the time, there was still a Democratic majority on the board, which opposed the move. In the end, the Planning Department was dissolved and a consultant was hired. Mr. Cantwell resigned as councilman the following year to become East Hampton Village's clerk-treasurer. (After five years on the job, his duties were expanded and he became the village administrator.) Still, Mr. Cantwell remembers Town Hall then as a more civil place than it seems to be today. His position with the village is an appointed one, with a term that runs concurrent with that of the mayor, but in his 30 years on the job, the village has had only three mayors. Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. has worked with Mr. Cantwell throughout his 20-year tenure. When the village administrator told the board last week of his plans to retire in June or July of 2013, "you could hear a pin drop," Mayor Rickenbach said at Friday's village board meeting. Only one village board member, Elbert Edwards, has held his post longer than Mr. Cantwell. Barbara Borsack, the deputy mayor, said Mr. Cantwell's departure would be "a sad day . . . I'm sorry to see it coming." And Richard Lawler, a board member who serves as village police commissioner, praised Mr. Cantwell for his dedication and professionalism. Mr. Cantwell thanked the village board on Friday for "instilling me with the confidence it takes to do my job." He also praised the village employees, "from the beach personnel to the firemen — they are the real heroes." The village has started taking applications to replace Mr. Cantwell, who will, Ms. Borsack said, leave big shoes to fill. Résumés are to be sent to Village Hall, attention Larry Cantwell. He hopes that with a nine-month lead, he will be able to help make the transition to a new village administrator as smooth as possible. Zachary Cohen, who lost to Supervisor Bill Wilkinson by just 15 votes in 2011, has been presumed to be the Democrats' choice for the top of the ticket in 2013. He had only good things to say about Mr. Cantwell. In recent local election years, many have suggested that East Hampton Town needs a professional town manager similar to a village administrator. Mr. Cantwell thinks there's "merit" to this, especially because it would help provide continuity from supervisor to supervisor. Mr. Wilkinson, a Republican, has not indicated whether he plans to run again in 2013, but County Legislator Jay Schneiderman, a former supervisor who ran on the Republican ticket but has since become an Independence Party member, has said he wants to try again for his old job.
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Transitions: Lee County, FL; Escambia County, FL; Carlsbad, CA and more
Posted on October 30, 2012 by Salette Andrews
Karen B. Hawes
Lee County, Florida (population 618,754): Lee County soon will be looking for a new county manager, according to the Captiva Current. Karen B. Hawes and the Lee County Commission came to an agreement on an exit strategy for Hawes, who was forced to step down Tuesday, the latest victim of the Medstar medical helicopter service shutdown in August. The Commission voted 4-1 to accept Hawes' resignation, who said nothing as she quietly picked up her things and left shortly after the vote was rendered. The lone dissenting vote was from Brian Bigelow, who for months has championed for Hawes termination. Bigelow wanted her fired with cause on Tuesday, which would have meant Lee County would not be on the hook for one year's pay at $170,000, full year's health insurance, sick and holiday pay and vacation leave boosting the package to more than $250,000. All those items are stipulated on her contract, which she signed upon being named city manager in 2009. The resignation means she will get that contractual severance package under the condition, Commissioner John Manning said, there would be no lawsuit filed by Hawes unless the county disparages her. Manning, who has worked with Hawes since 1985, was sorry to see her go and wished the investigation process had been finished before these events. Hawes' last day is Oct. 31. The commission will get together next week to determine an interim manager. Manning said they would look internally for that, then begin to look regionally for a full-time replacement. Hawes has been at the center of a controversy involving the Aug. 21 grounding Lee County's MedStar emergency helicopter service, among other things. Hawes said that Public Safety Director John Wilson and Deputy Public Safety Director Kim Dickerson told her a shutdown of MedStar was necessary to seek a voluntary accreditation. An administrative review revealed the shutdown was necessary after it was found MedStar did not have the proper safety credentials and wrongfully billed patients and an insurer $3 million. In the fallout, Wilson and Dickerson resigned. Also, Hawes' subordinates were involved in a situation where the Economic Development Office gave a $5 million grant to VR Labs, a health food manufacturer looking to create more than 200 jobs building a bottling plant, but with $4.7 million spent, the company has not fulfilled its duties, Commissioner Frank Mann said. Mann said VR Labs now is in a legal battle with the general contractor hired for its remodeling. Both parties have filed lawsuits over the issue. Mann announced on Oct. 9 that at the following Tuesday's regular meeting, he was going to make a motion calling for the commissioners to terminate Hawes' contact as county manager. On Monday, the day before the meeting, Hawes had approached Mann and explained that she might be able to craft an "exit strategy" that would enable her to resign instead.
Escambia County, Florida (population 297,619): The Escambia County Commission has voted to terminate the contract of County Administrator Randy Oliver, according to NorthEscambia.com. Commissioner Grover Robinson made a motion Thursday night, seconded by Marie Young, to retain Oliver for the year remaining on his three-year contract. That motion failed 3-2, effectively terminating Oliver's contract. During a public evaluation of Oliver's job performance over the past year, commissioners spoke very little. Prior to Thursday night's meeting, each county commissioner had already submitted their own personal written evaluation of Oliver's job performance. He was given a generally good reviews by Young and Robinson, but numerous issues and shortcomings were raised by commissioners Kevin White, Wilson Robertson and Gene Valentino. Before his termination, Oliver made a presentation that lasted about 40 minutes applauding the accomplishments made by numerous county departments. Then he discussed his own performance and the projects he hoped to champion next year.
Carlsbad, California (population 105,328): Carlsbad City Manager Lisa Hildabrand plans to retire at the end of the year, the city announced late Tuesday, less than a week after Hildabrand began an abrupt leave, according to the North County Times. The announcement came after the night's regular City Council meeting, where Mayor Matt Hall said Hildabrand's performance evaluation was discussed earlier in the evening during the council's closed session. The news release, distributed a few minutes later by the city communications director, said Hildabrand is retiring. It gave no information about what led to her decision. Hildabrand was absent from Tuesday's meeting and reportedly has not been in her office at City Hall for several days. She started with the city as finance director in 1991 and was named assistant city manager in 2004. Hildabrand became interim city manager when former City Manager Ray Patchett retired in 2007, and was chosen from 55 applicants for the city manager's job in 2008. Her last day will be Dec. 24, the release states, and the City Council will begin a search to fill the position. Her professional career began in San Diego with the accounting firm of KPMG, where she worked for eight years before coming to Carlsbad. Hildabrand received a 6 percent raise under her existing contract in December, boosting her pay by $13,000 to an annual base salary of $230,492. It was the first raise she had received since taking the job in 2008, and it did not require the City Council's approval. A 2010 salary survey conducted by the North County Times showed that Hildabrand had one of the lowest salaries for a city manager in North County. Only Vista's city manager was lower, with a total salary of $218,626. Also discussed in the council's closed session Tuesday was the performance evaluation for City Attorney Ron Ball. A Carlsbad employee for 26 years, Ball has announced that he plans to retire at the end of this year. The city attorney's annual base salary was increased in March to $252,992.
Highlands County, Florida (population 98,786): Former assistant county administrator June Fisher took over the job on a full-time basis Wednesday morning, according to the News-Sun. She was vaulted into the position following a vote Tuesday night, when a 4-1 majority of Highlands County commissioners ignored requests to scale back her contract offer in light of a pressing budget year. Commissioner Don Elwell supported the choice of Fisher, but raised a number of concerns ranging from terms of her severance package to her salary. Elwell first questioned a generous 20-week severance package noting it was more than previous administrator Rick Helms. When reminded that there would be one week deducted each year to a total of 10 weeks, Elwell responded that the previous two administrators didn't last but two years after glowing recommendations for the job. Further, Elwell said his conversations with Fisher indicated that she wished to retire in five or six years. County Attorney Ross Macbeth then added that Fisher would not be entitled to the severance package unless she was terminated without cause as was the case with the two previous administrators. Elwell then suggested commissioners consider a 90-day severance package combined with a provision that the termination of the county administrator require a super-majority – at least four of the five votes on the commission. A consensus of commissioners then agreed they didn't like Elwell's suggestion. Fisher's salary and benefit package was bumped to $116,000 just 18 months ago when she became the assistant county administrator. Elwell asked other commissioners if they might consider just a 10 percent raise. That would have started her at $128,000 annually versus the proposed $139,000 including $5,000 in deferred compensation. The suggestion came with an eye toward phasing in increases over the next few years based on performance. Commissioner Greg Harris was quick to agree with commissioner Ron Handley indicating he was "good with the way it was written." Elwell's final suggestion that the contract reference her performance of the duties detailed in the job description also was shot down, with Stewart laughing at the idea that the "CEO of the county," as she put it, would even need a a job description. Before casting the lone negative vote to name Fisher as county administrator, Elwell emphasized his problem was not with her ability to do the job but in trying to find a balance between fairly compensating the administrator and protecting taxpayer dollars.
Lawton, Oklahoma (population 96,867): A stunning development Tuesday night from Lawton City Hall where the City Council voted to fire City Manager Larry Mitchell, according to KSWO. The vote followed a long debate behind closed doors during executive session, and when the council returned, Mayor Fred Fitch announced that no action was taken. That's when Doug Wells made a motion to terminate Mitchell's contract, effective immediately. The vote was 5-4 to terminate, with Wells, Bill Shoemate, Michael Tenis, Richard Zarle and Rosemary Bellino-Hall voting in favor. After the vote, Mayor Fitch called it unfair. Councilman George Moses angrily questioned Wells, and called it the most deceitful thing he'd seen the council do. He also asked for an investigation into whether the other council members had discussed the action before the vote. Mayor Fitch said he would take it up with the Attorney General Wednesday morning.
Portsmouth, Virginia (population 95,535): Portsmouth City Manager Ken Chandler has resigned in the wake of criticism for his handling of the employment of former Fire Chief Don Horton, according to WVEC. The City Council voted 7-0 to accept his resignation, while granting him one more month on the job and one year of severance pay totaling $192,000. Horton resigned this summer and was receiving a salary under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Then Chandler hired him as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management without notifying Council. The $98,000-a-year position was not in the budget, council members said. Council heard from Chandler about the issue during Monday night's work session meeting. After that meeting, Mayor Kenneth Wright said the work session was productive and that additional requested information would be reviewed in a closed session at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday. After that, Wright said a decision would be made. Chandler was expected to offer his resignation Tuesday night, with the stipulations that he would continue working for 30 days and receive one year's pay. Portsmouth resident James Brady was unhappy with the severance package. The assistant city manager is expected to step in while the city searches for a new city manager.
Montibello, California (population 62,500): After years of unstable leadership, officials hope that the selection of Montebello's first woman city administrator will bring some stability to the city, according to the Whittier Daily News. The City Council on Wednesday selected Montebello's finance director, Francesca Tucker-Schuyler, to take over as the city's top executive full-time. Tucker-Schuyler was first appointed as the interim city administrator in May and has worked as the city's finance director for almost two years. According to the draft contract agreement, Tucker-Schuyler will have an annual salary of $195,000. The council voted a rare 4-0 in support of the selection – bucking its usual trend of divided votes. Only Mayor Frank Gomez – who for months has been calling for the city to hire a permanent city administrator – abstained from the vote. He did not return calls for comment regarding why he abstained. Council members said they selected Tucker-Schuyler because of her extensive knowledge of the city's finances and helping enhance the city's cash flow. They credited her with successfully balancing the fiscal 2012-13 budget, navigating the city through four audits by the State Controller's office and being instrumental in moving the city toward financial recovery. Councilman Art Barajas said Tucker-Schuyler has the qualifications and vision to help the city succeed. Tucker-Schuyler welcomed the new challenge. Montebello has had a revolving door of city managers since former City Administrator Richard Torres, who lead the city for nearly two decades, was fired in 2007. Torres was briefly replaced by interim Administrator Randy Narramore. But then Torres was rehired in January 2008. He then retired in December 2009 and was replaced with Interim City Administrator Nick Pacheco, who was quickly fired after just three weeks on the job. Narramore again played top executive before being fired in 2010. Peter Cosentini then took on the position for a mere seven months before resigning, citing his frustration with the City Council's progress in addressing the city's fiscal crisis. Larry Kosmont then served as Montebello's top administrator for nine months before also resigning earlier this year. He was then followed by Interim Assistant City Administrator Keith Breskin, who resigned in May after coming to a head with council members over how to balance the city's budget. In all, there have been seven temporary replacements in charge of managing the city in the past five years. The city did not recruit for the position, officials said. City officials said they plan to hire a full-time finance director in Tucker-Schuyler's place.
Lake Elsinore, California (population 51,821): Grant Yates, a veteran municipal employee working for Temecula, will be Lake Elsinore's next city manager, the City Council decided this week, according to the North County Times. The City Council selected Yates on Tuesday from among seven finalists for the position, which became available with the firing of Bob Brady on March 13. Yates said in an interview Wednesday that the job attracted him because of what he views as a dynamic future for the city as it emerges from the economic downturn. The executive search conducted by a city-hired consultant attracted more than 70 applicants, Mayor Brian Tisdale said. The decision to go with Yates came in an earlier meeting Tuesday closed to the public because it involved a personnel decision. The mayor said the decision was unanimous among the five council members. He said Yates' knowledge of the region and the success he had in Temecula were among the reasons he was selected. Yates is expected to start the job Nov. 19 after the council finalizes terms of his contract in its Nov. 13 meeting, City Clerk Virginia Bloom said Wednesday. Details of the contract will not be released to the public until then, she said. Brady had been making $185,000 a year plus benefits when he was let go. Yates, 48, works for Temecula as its community relations director after having served as its deputy city manager. He was promoted to that position in 2006 after working as assistant to the city manager. He started with Temecula in 1991 in financial services, according to information provided by Lake Elsinore officials. Before coming to Temecula, Yates worked with the city of Carlsbad from 1987 to 1991 as its employment services manager. While those cities have their own set of attributes, Yates said Lake Elsinore, with its prized lake and reputation for extreme sports, has its unique attractions. The Lake Elsinore position opened up after the City Council voted 3-2 in March to oust Brady in a move that stirred up public unrest. While Brady was popular among many residents, council members Daryl Hickman, Melissa Melendez and Peter Weber voted to get rid of him, saying the city had failed to progress as quickly as it should have during his seven-year tenure. Tisdale and Councilman Bob Magee opposed the move, saying they believed Brady had done a good job of guiding the city through difficult economic circumstances. Following Brady's departure, Lake, Parks and Recreation Director Pat Kilroy served as acting city manager until the council brought in former city of Riverside executive Tom Evans as interim city manager in late April.
Newburgh, New York (population 29,801): Four days after Newburgh City Manager Richard Herbek was stopped in his car with a woman he said was a heroin addict, he has quit, according to the Mid-Hudson News. Herbek told Mayor Judy Kennedy on Sunday that he was resigning. After the traffic stop last Wednesday, Herbek told MidHudsonNews.com that he was helping her kick the drug habit and that he was offering her counseling. The following day, Kennedy said Herbek would have decisions to make, but she did not elaborate. Herbek's contract with the city was set to expire in January and there were mixed views by city council members as to if he should be re-upped.
Butts County, Georgia (population 23,655): After having served 10 months in the position on an interim basis, J. Michael Brewer was elevated to the role of county administrator on Monday, according to the Jackson Progress-Argus. Butts County commissioners made the appointment in a 4-1 vote during a special called meeting, with District 3 Commissioner Mike Patterson voting in opposition. The county administrator's position had been vacant since the December 2011 departure of Alan E. White, who had held the job since 2009, simultaneously serving as director of the county's development authority. He resigned both positions at the end of last year. Since White's resignation, Brewer, who has been deputy county administrator since 2007, had been serving on an interim basis in the top job. The appointment Monday came after an hour of discussion among commissioners in a closed-door executive session, which Brewer was not a part of. In making the appointment, commissioners noted it was contingent on the county attorney's review of Brewer's proposed contract, a draft of which was not immediately made available Monday night. Brewer, 46, a Butts County native and a longtime county employee, noted before the Board of Commissioners retired for a second executive session that he had not yet agreed to the contract. Before making the motion to tap him for the top job, District 2 Commissioner Robert L. Henderson, Sr., said he'd been pleased with Brewer's performance. After successfully blocking discussion of the county administrator's position from being added to the commission's agenda earlier this month, Patterson again on Monday attempted to block the appointment, offering a motion to table the discussion. The motion died for lack of a second. Patterson said he wanted 30 days to revisit the idea of a search committee to find candidates for the position, and to review Brewer's proposed contract. He also openly questioned the existence of the proposed contract. Commission Chairman Roger McDaniel responded that the contract was a starting point for discussions. Contract negotiations had been a stumbling block with the county commission's previous pick for county administrator. After naming a sole finalist for the job in January, officials ultimately were unable to reach a deal with the prospect. McDaniel said Monday that commissioners decided then to maintain the status quo for a while with Brewer as interim, in part to save money, but added that the workload "put us in a position we need to, sometime in the very near future, fill the position of administrator." Commissioners also informally signaled approval of a plan McDaniel described to re-fill the vacant position of county controller, a position overseeing county finances and investments, rather than filling the position of deputy county administrator that Brewer would be vacating. District 4 Commissioner Keith Douglas, who seconded the motion to appoint Brewer, noted he'd also been happy with Brewer's performance, and wished to move forward.
Morrisville, North Carolina (population 18,576): Town Manager John Whitson is leaving Morrisville after nine years at the helm of the town's day-to-day operations, according to The Cary News. Whitson has accepted a job as city manager of Texarkana, Texas. While Whitson, 63, has received positive job-performance reviews and two pay raises in the past 12 months, Texas has a lure that Morrisville can't offer: family and hometown roots. Whitson said he wants to be closer to his daughter, who lives in Oklahoma. And his new job is about 120 miles from his hometown of Soper, Okla. Since Whitson has more than 20 years of service in North Carolina, he is officially retiring from the state system. He started in the Forsyth County town of Lewisville in 1992 as the community's first town manager. Whitson's last day in Morrisville is Dec. 14. The council will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the historic Christian Church to talk about the search for an interim manager. Since Whitson was hired in Morrisville in 2003, he has been credited with saving the town money through a water-sewer utility merger with Cary, and also expanding the town's borders. Mayor Jackie Holcombe said Whitson's leadership style has led to a culture of staff empowerment.
Washington, Illinois (population 15,134): Tim Gleason is Washington's new city administrator, according to the Journal Star. City Council members Monday approved Gleason's contract, which will pay him an annual salary of $98,000. His first day of employment will be Nov. 5. State law limits Gleason's contract length to April 30, 2013, when Washington Mayor Gary Manier's term expires. At that time, Gleason and the city can negotiate a contract renewal. Gleason replaces interim city administrator Bob Morris, who retired July 31. Morris retired as city administrator in June 2011 but returned to his former job on an interim basis in September 2011, one month after Richard Downey resigned following just seven weeks with the city. Downey would have been paid $100,000 annually. Gleason said he wasn't concerned that he went into the city's hiring process without city government experience. He has extensive experience in law enforcement. He was a member of the Pekin Police Department from 1989 to 2010, retiring as a lieutenant. Among his duties in Pekin were field training supervisor, firearms instructor, officer in charge of the Investigation Unit, and labor negotiator for Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 105. He's been working in management for the state since leaving Pekin, most recently as head of the human resources and management operations divisions of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Gleason earned a bachelor's degree in management with a minor in labor from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 1995, and a master's degree in public administration with a graduate certificate in collective bargaining from the university in 2007. He and his wife, Becky, live in Morton. They have five children, with daughters ages 8 and 17 still at home. While his new contract doesn't require Gleason to move to Washington, he said he plans to do so.
Archuleta County, Colorado (population 12,084): Greg Schulte, Archuleta County administrator since 2008, has announced his resignation and move to a position in California, according to the Pagosa Springs Sun. Schulte said Nov. 16 will be his last day on the job for Archuleta County. He will take a position as assistant county administrator for San Luis Obispo County, in California. That county has 2,400 employees and a yearly budget just short of a half billion dollars. Schulte and his wife have a long relationship with San Luis Obispo, he said. Schulte attended high school and college in the area and he and his wife once resided there. Schulte said he believes he is leaving a county ready to face the future, on solid terms. Commission chair Clifford Lucero reacted to Schulte's resignation, which the administrator delivered to the commissioners at a Tuesday meeting. Lucero said a process for selecting a replacement will be announced soon.
Reedsport, Oregon (population 4,154): Jonathan Wright, 39, started as city manager last week, a month after the City Council voted unanimously to offer him the job, according to News Right Today. He will receive an annual salary of $75,000, while working to turn around the economy of the 4,000-resident city. Wright has been a county administrative planner since 2005 and the county's liaison to Reedsport since 2007. In addition to county government experience, Wright owns a construction business and served in the military.
Argyle, Texas (population 3,282): The Argyle Town Council named a town manager Tuesday and appointed Mayor Matt Smith to fulfill the town manager duties until that man starts next month, according to the Denton Record-Chronicle. The council named Charles West as town manager in a 3-2 vote. Smith said after negotiating a contract with West, the council is expected to finalize the hire Nov. 13. Smith said West will start in about 30 days. Despite pleas from council member Joey Hasty for unanimity, Bonny Haynes and Peggy Krueger voted against the appointment, saying a second applicant might have been a better fit for the town. During an executive session Tuesday, the council interviewed two applicants who were picked by a search firm as the most qualified for the position. Haynes said the second applicant, whose name was not released, had more experience as a town manager. Hasty made three motions for Haynes and Krueger to reconsider their votes in an attempt to produce a unanimous vote. Hasty said the council should be united in its decision to hire an official who will help make the town more efficient. Hasty said West is more than qualified, adding that the new manager will help get the town in order and that the town has lacked leadership since losing its town manager in the spring. During an Aug. 28 meeting, council members voted 3-2 to end the contract between the last interim town manager, Rod Hogan, before finding a replacement. Council members who voted for the termination said the interim town manager did not live up to the council's expectations. Smith said Hogan's termination was a sum of many issues he felt illustrated unsatisfactory leadership. Hogan was hired to replace former Town Manager Lyle Dresher, who resigned March 26 after five years on the job. After Hogan's termination, Smith said he felt confident in town employees' ability to manage their respective departments. However, since Dresher's retirement and Hogan's termination, council members have noted that town employees have been tasked with heavier loads. So, the council voted 3-2 to appoint Smith as interim town manager without pay. Council members Hasty, Joan Delashaw and David Wintermute voted for Smith's appointment, while Haynes and Krueger voted against it. The council moved to open session to appoint Smith at about 5:20 p.m., despite the open session being scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Haynes described the appointment as a fox watching the hen house. Smith said the appointment was necessary because in the absence of a town manager he has been tasked with the responsibilities anyway. Town attorney Matthew Boyle said the appointment was appropriate because the mayor is the executive officer of the town and because he received a majority vote from the council. Boyle said the action did not give Smith the authority to act independently of the Town Council. A spokesman for the Texas attorney general's office cited several points of law, including one that forbids a town from appointing a council member to a position like town manager, but he would not say whether he believed the town's action Tuesday violated that law. It was not clear whether that law applied to Smith since he will be unpaid.
Lincoln, Maine (population 2,884): The town manager in Lincoln is out after only a few months on the job, according to the Bangor Daily News. The town council voted 6-0 at a special meeting Thursday night to terminate the contract of Bill Reed, who was still on his six-month probationary period after being hired in June. Councilors did not give a reason for firing Reed, but council chairman Steve Clay said it was not related to the recent discovery of some $1.5 million in accounting errors in the last two town budgets. Clay told the Bangor Daily News that Reed just wasn't a good fit. Police Chief William Lawrence was appointed to serve as interim town manager until a permanent replacement is hired.
Cologne, Minnesota (population 1,519): After several months of closed meetings, during which Cologne City Administrator John Douville was placed on leave three separate times, the city council voted 4-1 to fire Douville during a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 10, according to the Waconia Patriot. As evidenced by councilor Matt Lein's vote against the termination, however, the decision was not unanimous, and Douville himself said he felt the actions taken by the council were inappropriate. Lein agreed, at least in part. A summary statement from the council listed 17 reasons for the termination of Douville, who had been employed with the city since 2004. Among them were ineffective working relationships with certain co-workers, engaging in retaliatory conduct against certain employees who complained about his conduct, and engaging in conduct that threatened, intimidated, or coerced other employees and a council member. Also included were a repeated refusal or failure to follow the city's directives, substantially disregarding the city's interests in performing job duties on several occasions, destruction of city property without the council's consent, "questionable activities" involving a city-issued laptop, and a failure to provide administrative supervision to the council's satisfaction. Douville disputed those findings. The expenses for the city to obtain legal guidance through the process, which included no fewer than nine closed meetings in August through October, have added up rapidly. The city budgeted $3,500 for legal expenses for this year, but has already paid $33,000 to the Melchert, Hubert and Sjodin law firm. Douville, however, said those expenses could have been avoided, or at least reduced. Without an administrator in place, Mayor Bernie Shambour said that city administrative workers will be under close supervision from the city's personnel committee, consisting of Shambour, and councilor Jill Skaaland. While the end of the year can be a critical time with budget setting and the election this fall, Shambour said the city is in relatively good shape as the personnel committee prepares to recruit and interview applicants. At the council meeting Monday evening, however, Shambour acknowledged that he was a little nervous about setting water and sewer rates for 2013, something he said Douville was very good at during his eight-year tenure. Council members will work with remaining city staff to set those fees while the administrator search is underway. The council plans to check with the League of Minnesota Cities for candidates, as well as advertise locally. Shambour said it would be preferable to find a local candidate with knowledge of the area and the local culture. The objective of the personnel committee is to hire a new city administrator by the end of December. Lein said one of his reasons for voting against Douville's termination was the shuffle that would ensue to make sure all the city's needs were covered. The strain will be exacerbated by the recent departure of the city's public utilities supervisor, a position the council is still working to fill. To help bridge the gap until new employees can be hired, the council approved an extension in working hours to remaining public works and office staff during the Monday meeting. Other considerations now on the minds of city officials and remaining employees include assembling a crew for snow plowing this winter and getting the city's fall newsletter completed and sent to the production in time for distribution.
Posted in Transitions	| Tagged Archuleta County, Argyle, Butts County, California, Carlsbad, Cologne, Colorado, Escambia County, Florida, Georgia, Highlands County, Illinois, Lake Elsinore, Lawton, Lee County, Lincoln, Maine, Minnesota, Montibello, Morrisville, New York, Newburgh, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Portsmouth, Reedsport, Texas, Virginia, Washington	| Leave a reply
Transitions: Douglas County, NE; Frederick County, MD; Tuscola, MI and more
Posted on October 1, 2012 by Salette Andrews
Douglas County, Nebraska (population 517,110): Douglas County Administrator Kathleen Kelley plans to retire at the end of January, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Kelley has been with the county for 24 years, 15 of them as county administrator. She started her career with the county as its ombudsman. Kelley, who will be 66 in December, said she wants to pursue other interests and spend more time with her six grandchildren. She said she would like to remain involved in public policy and be part of the political process. But she does not plan a run for political office. In particular, she said, she loves that the county deals with marginalized populations, including the mentally ill, the incarcerated, the frail elderly and the poor. Kelley said she was glad to be a main force behind two county bond issues — in 1994 and 1998 — that financed improvements to the Douglas County Youth Center and the Douglas County Jail. Both were overcrowded. County officials were able to show that to the public, and voters approved both measures by significant margins. Clare Duda, the county's longest-serving board member, said he is Kelley's biggest fan. That comes, he said, after having entered office 20 years ago campaigning against the ombudsman position, which Kelley held at the time. Kelley worked her way through the ranks and became interim county administrator after Dean Sykes, her predecessor, retired. Duda and former board member Kyle Hutchings paid to advertise in national publications to expand the pool of applicants for the administrator post. The board selected Kelley in 1998.
Lori Depies
Frederick County, Maryland (population 233,385): Frederick County will get a new county manager as part of a major governmental restructuring, according to the Frederick News Post. The changes, announced Friday and effective Monday, do not include any layoffs, but will save the county an estimated $350,000 per year, largely by doing away with empty positions. The Board of County Commissioners signed off on the new personnel plan Thursday in a closed session. During their term, the sitting commissioners have taken aim at supervisory posts, getting rid of four director and seven deputy-director slots, according to county human resources staff. Commissioners President Blaine Young said elected officials are addressing the problem of having "too many chiefs" in county government. At about noon Friday, a press release broke the news that Lori Depies, the county's finance division director, will replace David Dunn as county manager. The budget office, now part of the finance division, will follow Depies to the county manager's office at her request. She said she was "thrilled and honored" when commissioners Thursday offered her the job of county manager. Dunn will step into a new position as the commissioners' ambassador to community members, local municipalities and business groups. The post of commissioners liaison will fall under Depies' oversight, and Dunn will take a pay cut. But Dunn said Friday that he doesn't feel slighted. In fact, over the past two weeks, he helped Young craft the restructuring plan, he said. His efforts to reach area businesses and town and city leaders occupied much of his time as county manager, he said. As a liaison, he is more free to focus on the world outside Winchester Hall. Dunn was not reassigned because of poor performance, Young said, adding that the new role would fit his strengths. Depies will see a significant jump in her annual salary, from about $121,000 to $160,000, said Mitch Hose, human resources director. Dunn earned less as county manager, drawing an annual salary of $139,000. The difference in pay reflects that Depies will carry the added responsibility of overseeing the budget office, Young said. In addition, commissioners asked her to move to Frederick County from her home in Pennsylvania, according to Young. The shift in county manager was among a laundry list of changes approved Thursday. Not all were welcome to a couple of commissioners. Commissioner David Gray said he was in the dark about the brewing reorganization until the closed session, when the proposal was ready for a vote. Though the restructuring included some positive change, Gray said he voted against it, adding that he didn't like removing supervisory positions. At some point, the cutbacks will result in an overburdened county staff, he said. Commissioner Paul Smith also voted against the reorganization, he said, because it eliminates a position in the TransIT services division. In the plan, TransIT moves under the umbrella of the citizens services division and will be renamed the TransIT department. Nancy Norris, assistant director of TransIT, will become acting department director, and her current position will be eliminated. Smith said he thinks citizens services is a good place for TransIT, because the move will foster collaboration. However, the Sept. 30 retirement of TransIT director Sherry Burford and the simultaneous disappearance of the assistant director post could strain the service, he said. He said he will continue to monitor the situation. The business development and retention division will be folded into the community development division and be renamed the business retention department. The division's acting director, Helen Riddle, will man the helm at the new department. Erin White, now the accounting director, will shift to acting director of the finance division. The now-vacant post of assistant finance director will be eliminated, according to the county news release. The savings for the county comes partially by getting rid of the assistant finance director position, attached to an annual salary of $84,000, as well as the TransIT post, which came with yearly pay of more than $67,000, Hose said. Depies has headed up the finance division for the past year, and before that was the county treasurer. Dunn has served as county manager since last year. Before that, he was assistant county manager, and previously he was the Brunswick city administrator.
Tuscola, Michigan (population 55,729): Monday's village council meeting in Milford could determine the future employment status of Caro City Manager Brent Morgan, according to the Tuscola County Advertiser. Morgan was offered the manager's job in Milford, a village in southwest Oakland County. According to Milford's Interim Village Manager/Clerk Deborah Frazer, the Milford Council has Morgan's contract on their regular meeting agenda Monday. Morgan has been employed as the city manager of Caro since April 2010. After narrowing down the candidates to their top four, the Milford Village Council voted unanimously to offer Morgan the job at their Sept. 17 meeting. Frazer said the council was impressed with Morgan's involvement with a village-to-city transition, Downtown Development Authority and the fact that he has served as an assistant city manager and then worked his way up to a city manager's spot. For the past two weeks, Morgan and Milford officials have been in contract negotiations, as reported in several Oakland County newspapers. "The village's original offer was an annual salary of $78,000 and 30 days severance pay, but Frazer said that Morgan counter-offered with an $84,000 salary and 180 days of severance pay," according to Spinal Column, an Oakland County newspaper. "The Village Council answered with an offer of an $80,000 annual salary, along with 30 days severance for the first six months followed by 60 days afterwards, which Frazer said Morgan has agreed to accept." If Morgan inks the pact that Milford is poised to approve Monday, he will fill the vacancy left by Arthur Shufflebarger, who died in June after serving as the village manager since 1990. Frazer has served as the interim manager and clerk since Shufflebarger's unexpected death. Morgan was contacted by the Advertiser and refused comment on two different occasions. The Caro City Council's next regular meeting is 7:30 p.m. Monday.
Newark, Delaware (population 31,454): Newark City Council on Monday hired longtime employee Carol Houck as the new city manager, according to Delaware Online. Houck has worked for the city since 1990. She began as a supervisor in the parks department, joining the City Manager's Office in 1997 as assistant to the city manager. Raised in Philadelphia, Houck previously worked as a project and event coordinator for the Department of Defense at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Council had been deliberating between Houck and Tarron J. Richardson, a Wilmington native and current city manager in DeSoto, Texas. Issues of interest to Houck include shoring up Newark's financial situation and improving its operations efficiency, extending UD's electrical agreements with the city, improving security in the municipal building, increasing partnership opportunities with Newark schools, introducing technological advancements such as smart meters and developing more economic development partnerships.
Marysville, California (population 12,072): The Marysville City Council approved a contract for a new city manager on Tuesday, according to the Appeal Democrat. Walter Munchheimer, 64, director of financial management for Palm Beach County, Fla., from 2000-08, is scheduled to replace City Manager Steve Casey on Monday. The veteran administrator is a graduate of UC Davis and lists his hometown as Eureka. In addition to working in south Florida, Munchheimer previously served as deputy county manager for Fulton County, Ga., and assistant county administrator for Escambia County, Fla. Yuba County administrators conducted a national search for candidates several months ago on behalf of Marysville. County staff screened all but 10 for consideration, said Casey, who helped narrow the pool to five with help from Wheatland and Live Oak administrators. A panel of community residents selected by the council, and council members themselves conducted further interviews. Finally, they administered a written exercise. Munchheimer's contract is nearly identical to Casey's, including an annual salary of about $102,000. The city also will pay $4,000 in relocation expenses for the administrator to move from his home in Florida.
Henniker, New Hampshire (population 4,836): Henniker's town administrator has resigned a year after taking the post, according to the Concord Monitor. Chuck Connell offered his resignation last week, and Selectman Kris Blomback said the administrator's last day will be Nov. 30. Connell said he's leaving for retirement and called his reasoning "both personal and important." Connell joined the town staff in November after longtime town administrator Peter Flynn resigned in August 2011 to take a job with the town of New Boston. At the time, Flynn said he left with no hard feelings, but added that the job had become more stressful due to clashing personalities on the board of selectmen. The board accepted Connell's resignation with "heavy regrets," according to Blomback, who said the administrator had been a "consummate professional." He said the board is in the process of establishing a subcommittee to help find a replacement, adding that Connell will be involved in the process. While Blomback hopes to have a replacement in place by Connell's departure, he said the timeline may be difficult to meet.
Oakridge, Oregon (population 3,205): The city of Oakridge hired a new city administrator after what it calls an intense hiring process, according to KEZI. Police Chief Louis Gomez will take over the job. He's been filling in since Gordon Zimmerman resigned at the end of last year. The city faced considerable financial issues under Zimmerman. Oakridge's mayor says he looks forward to working with Gomez as the city works to rebuild.
Winnebago, Minnesota (population 1,437): Winnebago City Administrator Austin Bleess has submitted his resignation effective October 19th, according to KBEW. Bless is leaving to become the City Manager in Caribou, Maine. Austin Bleess said he really enjoyed his time in Winnebago and will miss a number of individuals that he met while being the City Administrator. City Officials will now begin the process to fill the City Administrator Position.
Warrenton, North Carolina (population 862): The Warrenton Town Board appointed Robert Davie as town administrator during a special meeting held Tuesday evening, according to The Warren Record. Davie, who is currently a Warrenton commissioner, did not attend the meeting and had submitted a letter resigning from his elected position effective Oct. 1, the same day his new job begins. The town board unanimously accepted Davie's resignation, but the vote was split 4-2 on his hiring. Commissioners Al Fleming and Margaret Britt dissented. Before the meeting adjourned Britt said she had nothing against Davie, but preferred another job applicant whom she felt was better qualified for the position. Fleming later said that he, too, thought someone else was more qualified. In opening the meeting, Mayor Walter Gardner said he felt the series of interviews the town board conducted, which initially included six applicants and was narrowed to three, went well. Davie's salary is $41,208, plus benefits including health and life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, retirement, vacation and sick days. A town vehicle currently is not dedicated for use by the town administrator, and the job has a one-year probationary status. In reading the job offer before the motion to hire was made, Gardner noted that Davie's primary job is that of town administrator, but that he could continue with other work as long as it does not conflict with town duties. Davie has been self-employed and has an active computer software business. Commissioner Mary Hunter made the motion to hire Davie, and Commissioner Jules Banzet offered a second. Commissioners Woody King and John Mooring also voted in favor of Davie. It is up to town commissioners to fill Davie's nonpartisan seat on the board. He took office in December 2009 and has just over a year left on a four-year term. Gardner said Tuesday night that any town resident interested in the board seat should fill out a Statement of Interest to Serve, available from Town Hall by calling 257-3315. He said this would provide commissioners with office-seekers' backgrounds. Gardner said that two to three citizens had already expressed interest in serving. He said he hoped the board could make a decision at its November meeting. The town board, at its October meeting, could set a deadline by which Statements of Interest are due in the event the board needs to hold a special meeting to discuss those interested or conduct interviews. According to North Carolina Open Meetings Law, the board cannot "consider the qualifications, competence, performance, character, fitness, appointment, or removal of a member" of the board and may not consider or fill a vacancy among its own membership except in an open meeting. Davie said he planned to continue focusing on business development in Warrenton, which he has done as a commissioner, and hopes to help get vacant buildings leased or purchased and renovated when needed. He said he would continue to pursue grant funding, in particular for beautification projects, as well as possible alternative methods for financing some scale of renovation to the historic Town Hall building on East Market Street. Town employees earlier this month vacated the dilapidated building due to safety reasons, which include a leaking roof, mold and an interior balcony that is threatening the building's structural integrity. Though what to do about Town Hall has been discussed off and on for some time, it has been a contentious issue that has sometimes divided the town board over the past year or two as commissioners have considered various options and price tags. Davie is currently working on a grant that would pay for an urban park in town, and said he plans to also focus on organizing the town's human resources policies and updating ordinances. A Vanderbilt University graduate with a degree in political science, Davie has been largely self-employed since college, working in used computer sales, starting an Internet business marketplace for used computer dealers, and starting the software business he currently runs. During a three-year stint working for IBM, he was the top salesman out of 150 people in his division.
Posted in Uncategorized	| Tagged California, Delaware, Douglas County, Frederick County, Henniker, Maryland, Marysville, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Newark, North Carolina, Oakridge, Oregon, Tuscola, Warrenton, Winnebago	| Leave a reply
Transitions: Santa Ana, CA; Clayton County, GA; Yavapai County, AZ and more
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