Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents and commissioners press for clearer hiring process and better cooperation at Adrian City Commission meeting
Summary
Residents and several commissioners urged the Adrian City Commission to prioritize a transparent city administrator search and to address perceived dysfunction; the mayor pledged more regular outreach and ‘mayor hours.’
The Adrian City Commission faced pointed public and internal criticism about how the city is run and how the administrator search will proceed during its July 20 meeting.
Residents and former commissioners told the panel they were frustrated with turnover, unclear processes and perceived micromanagement by elected officials. Kelly Castleberry said, “You have to get the administrator now,” and urged the commission to check “ego” and work together. Multiple speakers asked the commission to adhere to the city charter and avoid inserting commissioners into operational decisions normally handled by staff.
The mayor responded with a long appeal for unity and better listening. The mayor said she will “reinstate mayor hours over at City Hall” to be available to residents and pledged to meet with commissioners more regularly to improve coordination.
Commissioners also agreed to add a discussion about how the administrator search and interview process will be structured to the next meeting agenda; several asked staff and HR to examine options for search firms and interview formats. A commissioner urged that the search be transparent and include clear advertising, interview steps, and, if used, external search consultants.
