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East Ridge council delays city manager selection after interviews with two finalists
Summary
After two finalists interviewed Jan. 12, the East Ridge City Council postponed a hiring decision to its Jan. 22 regular meeting to gather department-head feedback and public input. Finalists were Kevin Owens, a Fayetteville administrator with 26 years of municipal experience, and Michael Powers, a long-serving California and Alaska municipal manager.
East Ridge City Council on Jan. 12 interviewed two finalists for the city manager post and, after extended questioning and public comment, agreed by consensus to defer a hiring decision to the regular council meeting on Jan. 22 for additional staff and resident input.
Kevin Owens, who currently serves as city administrator in Fayetteville, Tennessee, told the council he has about 26 years in municipal government, including two decades in Birmingham, Ala., and four years leading Fayetteville. "I'm more like a coach," Owens said when asked about his leadership style, describing a practice of empowering department heads while setting vision and enforcing standards. Owens also described experience managing budgets across multiple jurisdictions and leading what he called a major Federal Transit Administration grant of "a $80,000,000 grant," which required rebuilding a project team and frequent coordination with federal officials.
Michael Powers, who lives in Tulare, California, and has served as manager in several small cities and a borough in Alaska, emphasized the council–manager relationship and "management by walking about" to stay close to operations. Powers identified storm drainage and preparation for the "Border Act" deadline as early priorities, saying he would "like to see that move through as quickly as possible" if hired. He outlined long-term budgeting and grant experience, including federal, state and local grant programs, and said he has run multiple municipal budget cycles and audit processes.
Council members praised both candidates but raised specific concerns that prevented an immediate decision. Several members cited Owens' Tennessee experience and existing state-level contacts as practical advantages for securing grants and navigating local networks. Others said Powers brought deep experience and a broad track record but noted he would have a longer learning curve and higher relocation costs. Council members also said some follow-up questions from one-on-one interviews remained unanswered and asked for department-head perspectives before making a final appointment.
During the public-comment period, residents urged the council to "pick the most qualified candidate" and debated whether tax dollars should pay moving expenses. Melissa Quintrell told the council she supported paying for a relocation package if it attracted the best candidate; other speakers said relocation costs should be the candidate's responsibility and asked whether any local applicants had been considered.
Council members and staff also reviewed contract and charter matters relevant to timing and job security for an incoming manager, noting common severance provisions and discussing charter language about removal and protections that can affect the timing of an appointment.
Mayor Williams closed the meeting by asking council members to digest the day's interviews and department feedback and confirmed the council will reconvene at its Jan. 22 regular meeting to re-discuss and make a determination on the city manager appointment.
