Loudon City and Utility Manager search continues

ALYSSA B. MARTIN news-herald.net

Last Monday’s Loudon Utility and City Council joint meeting concluded with another extension to the ongoing city and utility manager search — with opportunity for locals to apply for the position.

On July 22, Loudon City Council and the Utility Board interviewed Timothy Ibisch, a name that has been

continuously brought up at meetings this year. Both boards unanimously voted to extend an offer, but Ibisch declined that offer during negotiations with City Attorney Kris Frye.

At the Aug. 12 joint meeting discussing the manager search, Vice Mayor Tim Dixon suggested this may be an opportune time to split the dual role into two separate positions, causing LUB and City Council to go their separate ways.

No one agreed. In fact, many were opposed — stating it’s not the right time for it, and the city isn’t able to pay for a full-time city manager without assistance from LUB.

As an LUB Director, John Cardwell motioned to hire Scott Meszaros, a top contender in the search earlier this year, who came for an in-person interview on June 4.

Though the motion was carried unanimously, the motion was split 2-2 on the City Council side with Council members Cardwell and Eric Newman for it and Dixon and Mayor Jeff Harris against it.

In short, this brings members of each board back to square one. And, essentially, restarting the 10-month candidacy process.

‘HINDSIGHT IS 2020’

LUB Director Carlie McEachern addressed City Council, stating that before anything moves ahead, they need to work out their disagreements and get on the same page. He also suggested they fill the vacant spot on the board as soon as possible.

Earlier this month, Loudon City lost Council member James Webb. Plans for his replacement are still being discussed.

“I think we’ve got a great group of experience here within our utility department,” Council member Newman said. “And, you know, not putting a spot on anybody, but … we’ve got directors in our facility (who have) been here for 20, 30 years. They’ve got the education. They’ve got the leadership experience. And, frankly, I think, hindsight is 20-20.

“But that’s the route we probably should have gone with at the beginning,” he said. “We’ve hung our hat on promoting from within, hiring from within. And I think that’s where we need to go right here.”

Many agreed, including Cardwell, who additionally said while he doesn’t mind hiring someone from within, he doesn’t want to limit the search to only those candidates.

“Everybody here knows that we have to work with our local folks, and it’s tough to work with our local folks,” Loudon City Facilities Maintenance Director Mark Harrell said. “Anytime we’ve brought anybody from the outside and brought them in, it’s been a tough challenge. The demographics of Loudon are changing. We’ve not changed that much yet.

“We’re going to change tremendously where those things really matter,” he said. “Jeff and I have numerous conversations daily with people that are just upset over simple matters that he and I manage very well. If you bring someone in that’s got a Ph.D. that is so smart on paper but he’s too smart to do the job of Loudon folks, they stay in trouble.

“And I just want to throw my two cents in … Please consider that as we throw it out. I think Eric (Newman) has the right idea. Let’s start at scratch. Let’s start with a guy that’s got a third-grade education all the way to a guy that’s got a Ph.D. and see who we love,” Harrell said.

Newman spoke first, stating that the criteria listed on the job description didn’t stop under-qualified candidates from applying. There were some who worked at Hardees who applied, he said, which led into a discussion about how applications are reviewed.

Rather than screening candidates by qualifications and completely taking someone out of the running because they don’t have all the qualifications, they are evaluated with the qualifications they do obtain. It’s not exactly black and white, according to Cardwell.

A lengthy discussion regarding the current job listing and what the role’s criteria currently looks like led to a decision to open the listing up again on the company’s website until Sept. 30. Internal employees are encouraged to apply, regardless of exact qualifications.

There will be another meeting in September to finalize the evaluation process for candidates.