City admin search nets 47 candidates

LISA HOBBS - News Editor

As the search for a new administrator gains momentum, officials are considering a change to its Municipal Code that dictates where that person is allowed to live.

Per current code, a newly hired administrator is not required to live in the city. However, as a condition of their appointment, they are required to relocate and become a resident of the city within 90 days of their first day of employment as city administrator.

During its regular session on Tuesday, Aug. 11, McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen will be considering an ordinance to amend that code to provide more time for relocation and allow officials to exempt someone from it entirely.

Under consideration:

“As a condition of his appointment, the city administrator need not live in the city but must become a resident of the city of McMinnville within six months of his first day of employment as city administrator. An exception to this city residency requirement may be approved by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on an individual basis.”

According to Human Resource Director Libby Rutledge, the deadline to apply for the position is today (Aug. 7) and 47 individuals have tossed their hats into the ring for consideration.

Names and residencies of those individuals are unknown.

Likely considered as a frontrunner for the position is McMinnville Parks and Recreation Department Director Justin Scott. He was named interim and voiced a desire to seek it permanently. When contacted by Warren County Way, Scott confirmed that he is one of the 47 and that he is not a resident of the city.

“I live in the county,” Scott stated.

A date for in-person interviews has yet to be set. In years past, the city conducted telephone interviews and narrowed down the field before inviting candidates to be interviewed.