In just over an hour, the BOC (Board of Commissioners) met this afternoon (9.6.18) in regular session at City Hall and approved a resolution for the employment agreement with the new City Manager.
The resolution was added to the agenda as item number 17.
The BOC met at 3 p.m. instead of the typical 5:30 p.m. because the LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) Lions football team was playing its first home game on a newly built football field on campus and Commissioners wanted to attend the historic game.
Shane Horn is to replace Jim Atkinson on or before Oct. at a salary of $110,000. As a condition of his employment, he shall maintain a residence within Lakeland. He will be reimbursed up to $6,000 for moving expenses.
Mr. Horn was selected Aug. 20 during a special BOC meeting. He will replace Jim Atkinson who announced June 14 he is leaving the position after 3 ½ years. Mr. Atkinson has accepted a job with Lakeland-based A2H.
Mr. Horn, a native of Adrian, MI, was the Town’s City Administrator from November 2013 until May 2018 when he resigned his position. He previously served the City as director of utilities and water plant superintendent, having been in the employ of Adrian for 26 years. Adrian has a population of 21,000 and operates under a council-manager form of government, said Mr. Horn.
The BOC approved another resolution tonight which amended the employment contract with Mr. Atkinson. He will remain as City Manager until Mr. Horn assumes the position. He also will assume Planning Director duties for the City until a replacement is selected for Cory Brady who announced his resignation last month.
Link to agenda: https://tn-lakeland.civicplus.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/790
Jessica Millspaugh, finance director and city recorder, reviewed the treasurer’s report for the BOC including June, July and August 2018. All funds can be reviewed by clicking on the agenda links, noted Mayor Wyatt Bunker. “There are allegations we are not transparent, but the operating budget is on the city site.”
Mayor Bunker noted that the city reserve fund in the unassigned fund balance has doubled since he took office in 2013. Also he said the 2013 revenue from property tax used for operating funds was $1.9 million in 2013 and today it is $1.5 million. “It took $400K less to operate City Hall since 2013,” he said.
Vice Mayor Josh Roman asked about the sewer fund collections. Emily Harrell, city engineer, said it should take six years to pay for the two-year project, with a plan to “pay as we go.” Mayor Bunker said previous city officials had, “… kicked the can down the road and now there is a need for a new interceptor. We have to act or stop development in the City.”
The BOC approved a resolution removing Nancy Koch from the Parks and Recreation Board, sponsored by Commissioner Matt Wright who is the BOC liaison to the Parks and Rec Board.
P&R Board Member André Nolan addressed the BOC, saying he was unable to attend the last meeting, and hated the way it ended. Mrs. Koch also addressed the BOC, saying she had served four-plus years and contributed in a variety of ways including festivals, fishing rodeos and the recent City display at the Shelby County Office building this spring. “My record speaks for itself,” she said. “This has left our group wondering who’s next.”
Mr. Wright said there are two sides to the story, noting that he told Mrs. Koch two weeks ago he appreciated her service. He said it was a communications issue, unfortunate, but better for all to open that position for new applicants.
The Mayor said he didn’t know Mrs. Koch very well but recognized her tremendous service. He did say a year ago when locations for the to-be-built Athletic Complex were being discussed, there was talk of using the space near the middle school. The Mayor said Mrs. Koch said, “She didn’t want to get in bed with the schools.”
The remainder of resolutions on the regular agenda were approved unanimously including first reading on amending the Fiscal Year 2018-19 budget.
Lt. Cathy Crowder with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office gave the August crime statistics, saying there were 36 reports: eight thefts from motor vehicles (TMV) (four unlocked and three handguns stolen); and two business burglaries. She praised Lakeland citizens for getting the TMV rate down. There were 12 TMV in July.
In his City Manager’s report, Mr. Atkinson said he will have a report on City and neighborhood security suggestions in the next couple of weeks.
There will be a Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. Sept. 18 with Dennis Wolf, who will be Lakeland’s Fire Chief when the City starts its own Fire Department next summer. The location will be at City Hall or the IH Clubhouse.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents.
… Link to Livestream: https://livestream.com/lakeland/events/8360594
