Board votes to appoint interim administrator Jeff Damron as regular city employee

Alderman Glick moved June 1 to end the selection process and offer the regular city administrator position to interim City Administrator Jeff Damron, classifying the post as a regular city employee without a contract. After extended discussion about process, courtesy to applicants and legal constraints, the board carried the motion.

Supporters said Damron’s interim performance and local knowledge justified an expedited hire. One member summarized Damron’s contributions, saying he had “jumped out at me even more so than ever” during his interim term and pointed to realized savings including a projected medical savings of about $125,000. Opponents stressed the importance of completing the advertised selection process and the professional courtesy of contacting applicants and holding interviews.

Legal counsel told the board that the city code supports treating the city administrator as a regular employee under personnel regulations but advised the board it must add a grievance procedure where none currently exists; the motion therefore includes direction to staff to revise personnel regulations to incorporate the city administrator in grievance and discipline procedures.

Jeff Damron addressed the board before the vote, saying he "serves at the pleasure and the will of the board" and that he preferred to work under "the same rules that all the other 185 employees" follow. The motion to appoint him carried (vote tally not specified in the transcript).

Next steps: staff will draft the personnel-regulation revisions and bring those changes to a future meeting for formal adoption.