Loudon Manager Search

The search for a new manager for the City of Loudon and the Loudon Utilities board continues. Back in October, the council and LUB agreed to pay Municipal Solutions LLC, $22,400 to conduct a nationwide search for candidates to fill the job. More than 20 applications have been received thus far. The application process continues through January 7.

The previous manager was making $165,000.00 per year.

Current Loudon City mayor/realtor, Jeff Harris, has submitted an application for the job. If ultimately, Harris were chosen for the position, he would have to resign as mayor. According to the city charter, if a vacancy in the mayor's position occurs, the vice mayor becomes the mayor to fill the reminder of the term.

City Charter

SECTION 7. Appointment of vice-mayor and his duties. At the first regular meeting of the Council in July after a general City election, the Mayor shall appoint a member of Council to the position of Vice-Mayor, and if the office of Mayor shall become vacant the Vice-Mayor shall become Mayor the remainder of the unexpired term; and in the latter event, as soon as the vacancy shall be filled, the Council shall elect another of its members to the office of Vice-Mayor to serve during the remainder of the unexpired term.

So if Harris resigns to become the city manager and Dixon becomes mayor, looks like the council would also have to appoint another council member?

City Charter

SECTION 6. Vacancies. Any vacancy in the Council shall be filled by appointment made by the remaining members thereof, and the Councilman so appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

There may be more to it, but this is what the city charter says.

The city might have saved it's self $22,400 if they thought they might hire Harris for the job.

Loudon begins manager search
Kayli Martin news-herald.net-October 18

Loudon signed a contract with Municipal Solutions LLC to aid in the search for a new city and Loudon Utilities Board manager.

The official last day for Ty Ross, former manager in both roles, was Oct. 6.

Mayor Jeff Harris is fulfilling the responsibilities of city manager until a new hire is approved in accordance with the city charter. Harris said LUB Chairman Don Campbell asked for authority over the utility, which will be voted on at the next meeting.

City Attorney Kris Frye said at an Oct. 9 workshop that he had obtained three quotes from search firms and recommended Municipal with the lowest price at $22,400.

The expense would be split between the city and LUB. Since the amount falls under the $25,000 threshold determined by a recent change to city ordinances, the contract does not need to go through competitive bidding.

Harris, Vice Mayor Tim Dixon and Councilman John Cardwell agreed to move forward with the contract. Frye said LUB also agreed.

“Kris has done a great job putting this together,” Cardwell said. “If you read some of the people that work at this company, I mean, they’re off the chart. … I think we ought to move forward with it.”

Cardwell said the company has roughly a 90-day timeline with extensions for finding quality people for the role. If a new hire leaves within six months, the company will continue to search.

Dixon questioned where Municipal would be looking for candidates and if the company would confer with council or LUB about requirements.

Frye said he believes the process would include a wide search and Municipal would conduct local interviews about the type of candidate needed for the position. The city and LUB would give approval before Municipal began posting the job, he said.

Harris said he plans to rearrange his work schedule as he fulfills the role.

Dixon asked if compensation should be given to Harris for the additional responsibilities. He said in the past some city employees have taken on extra work and compensation was delayed.

Harris said that would be for council to decide.

Frye said the charter is silent on compensation in such a situation.