Ripley to advertise Parks and Recreation director job; aldermen create three-member hiring committee

The Ripley Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to advertise for a new Parks and Recreation director and to form a three-member hiring committee to screen applicants and recommend finalists to the full board.

Alderman Chipman moved to advertise for the Parks and Recreation director; Alderman Thompson seconded. During discussion the board agreed to a typical two-week advertisement in local papers, on the city website and social media. The board amended the motion to authorize a three-member hiring committee consisting of Alderman Chipman, Miss Keeley and Alderman Frazier and to reach out to MTAS (Municipal Technical Advisory Service) for assistance in the application and interview process. The amendment was seconded by Alderman Thompson; the motion as amended passed on an aye vote.

City staff told aldermen that day-to-day operations at Ripley Park have been covered since the director’s resignation: Pilkington handles administrative duties in the park office; Nate handles operational functions; the fitness center is run by Ross. The mayor said he supported appointing an interim or temporary supervisor if needed while the search proceeds. The board discussed past hiring processes used for safety-sensitive positions and recalled that MTAS or other consultants had provided interview guidance and ranking matrices in previous searches.

Why it matters: Parks and Recreation runs facilities, fitness programming and an amphitheater project mentioned by staff; hiring a director affects programming, construction oversight (bathroom renovations and amphitheater work were mentioned) and public-facing services.

What the board decided: advertise the position for about two weeks in local outlets and online; form a three-member committee (Chipman, Keeley, Frazier) to screen applicants and invite MTAS to advise the committee. The board instructed the mayor or personnel staff to contact MTAS to arrange guidance.