By Michelle Price
UCBJ Managing Editor
MCMINNVILLE –After voting 4-3 not to hire four-year acting city administrator Bill Brock as permanent city administrator, the city of McMinnville is now accepting applications for the position. The deadline for applications is Oct. 1, 2018.
The city says they are seeking well-qualified, innovative, professional applicants for the position. Qualifications and application information can be found on the city’s website.
In June 2018 the McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to formally request the Municipal Technical Assistance Service (MTAS) to implement and assist the city in the process of hiring a full time City Administrator.
The McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved an ordinance in June that changed the minimum qualifications for candidates for the job of City Administrator. The ordinance formerly called for a candidate to have a four-year college degree. The amended version calls for a college degree and/or experience and training in municipal administration. This change was made so that those with prior experience could apply for the position, including Brock.
At the Aug. 14, 2018 council meeting, Alderman Mike Neal asked the board to hire Brock as City Administrator and save the city the expense of bringing people in for interviews. He asked the board to make sure that they didn’t already have the right person in place.
“The two times Bill Brock was evaluated he received high marks from the Board,” Neal added. “The Board changed the rules allowing a person without a college degree to be City Administrator.”
After brief discussion the board stated that they hoped Brock would apply but they felt there should be an application process for the position. The board then had a roll call vote on the motion to hire Brock which failed 4-3.
Brock took over as interim city administrator in August 2014 following the retirement of David Rutherford and a short period where former mayor Jimmy Haley served as acting city manager.
