Norris hires assistant city manager
BAILEY WHITED
Whited, 23, was offered the position Tuesday evening (Jan. 31) after the City Council approved a contract for the new position, submitted by Ledford.
He has been serving as city manager/recorder for Rockford, Tennessee, since May 2021.
The council was not involved in the candidate-selection process, which was left entirely to Ledford.
The contract approved by the council specifies an annual salary of $68,000 for the assistant city manager, along with other benefits, including a $300 a month car allowance, health and life insurance, and annual leave.
Whited told The Courier News that he grew up “near Fairview Elementary School in the Heiskell area,” and graduated from Anderson County High School in 2017.
He holds a master’s degree in public policy administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Whited said that “being from here had a big role” in his decision to apply for the assistant city manager position.
“It provides more opportunities for my professional development,” he said.
During its monthly meeting last Nov. 14, the City Council voted to create the position of assistant city manager, and gave Ledford the authority to advertise for and select the candidate for the position.
Mayor Chris Mitchell said during the November meeting that adding an assistant city manager “will generate more revenue by allowing us to be more professional and give more attention to business growth, so businesses can prosper, and we can prosper.”
He cited expected business growth along the Andersonville Highway (Tennessee 61) corridor as an example.
Meanwhile, Norris is facing expenditures of potentially $7 million or more for state-mandated upgrades to its sanitary sewer system. City officials have said that the money for that must come from grants and loans, with the loans being paid off by increased monthly sewer bills, rather than with property taxes. Tennessee law does not allow water or sewer system expenses to be paid for by property taxes, but only by user fees.
The city already has among the highest water and sewer rates in the region.
Mitchell, who made the motion to begin the process to hire the assistant city manager, said he expects it to be a permanent position.
Ledford told the council that he sees the assistant city manager “dealing with more of the day-to-day operations” of the city, while the city manager deals with “emerging issues.” The city manager also has management duties connected with the Norris Water Commission, which operates the water and sewer systems.
According to the advertisement posted seeking candidates for the job, the assistant city manager also will serve as the city’s “primary code enforcement officer.”
“The Assistant City Manager assists the City Manager with day-to-day administrative duties; conducts independent research studies; makes recommendations on internal policies, complex administrative projects, and problems; and maintains inventory control of public-owned properties,” the ad said.
“In addition, the Assistant City Manager coordinates the activities of several administrative divisions. Directives, letters, memoranda, and reports are prepared regarding the promulgation and implementation of administrative rules and regulations. Frequent contact is made with local, state and federal officials to resolve problems and develop projects.
“The work is performed under the direction of the City Manager, with broad latitude for independent action and decisions. The Assistant City Manager acts for the City Manager, from time to time, when the City Manager is absent.”
The assistant city manager will not have any city employees reporting to him, however.