Bluff City leaders agree in principle on interim town manager pay and plan special meeting to finalize terms

The Bluff City Board of Mayor and Aldermen discussed and reached informal agreement on compensation and a job description for interim town manager Michelle, proposing a $54,600 annual salary based on a 30-hour workweek and authorizing a back-pay payment of $38,850 covering her start date through June 30.

The proposal grew out of a workshop discussion in which board members said the amount could be covered by reallocating funds left unspent from vacant positions and a recent resignation. Board members said the payment would be a temporary (“band-aid”) fix covering payroll through the end of the current fiscal year, with a formal vote to be scheduled at a special called meeting.

Why it matters: the board is moving to formalize the interim town manager role after an extended transition period. Final pay and the job description will determine whether Michelle remains in the role through the fiscal year and how the town budgets for a permanent manager or full-time hire later.

Board discussion and next steps

Board members described the interim manager role as front-loaded with heavy hours while systems and policies are put in place. Jerry (board member) and others outlined an initial recommendation of $54,600 a year for 30 hours per week; an alternative 40-hour estimate discussed in the meeting would raise total annual compensation and add benefits costs.

Officials told fellow board members the $38,850 back-pay figure reflects amounts owed from Michelle’s start date through June 30 under the recommended salary and hours, and that available funds to cover the cost come from positions the town has not yet filled — notably a clerk position and a maintenance worker vacancy. One board member summarized the budget trade-offs by noting the town had unspent line-item dollars that could cover the proposal through the end of the fiscal year, while long-term funding will be resolved in next year’s budget.

The board did not take a formal vote at the workshop. Members agreed to run a short market test by advertising the town manager position to see what outside candidates might require in pay and benefits; they said the advertisement would be informational and would not commit the town to hire anyone beyond Michelle unless the board votes to do so. Board members asked staff to circulate the draft job description that had been prepared previously, to tighten and clarify duties and performance expectations, and to deliver regular check-ins from Michelle if the interim arrangement continues.

Michelle said she would remain in the role while the board moves forward. “I’m here as long as y’all accept me to be here,” she said, expressing willingness to continue while the board finalizes terms.

Funding and reporting

Board members said the immediate funding plan is to use salary dollars freed by positions that remain vacant; they also asked staff to prepare a clearer line-item explanation of how the back pay and ongoing salary would be covered. Members asked Michelle to provide periodic updates — suggested every two weeks — and for a one- or two-times-per-month working session to review the most important operational items.

Process and schedule

Board members agreed to schedule a special called meeting to take formal action on the job description and compensation package. They also agreed to run a broader advertisement as market research to identify whether the town would need to offer higher pay or additional benefits to attract experienced candidates when a permanent search is launched.

What the board did not decide

No final, recorded vote was taken at the workshop. Board members discussed but did not adopt any change to benefits or to a permanent 40-hour schedule. Several members said benefit costs would need separate analysis if the board chooses a full-time (40-hour) manager position in the future.