Brooks resigns as village administrator
In the apex of a very emotional meeting Monday, Nov. 14, Millersburg Village Council accepted the resignation of administrator Kevin Brooks.
Brooks, who has served as administrator for more than seven years, offered his resignation to council after a half hour executive session. The executive session was originally called to discuss whether Brooks should be permanently laid off and his duties transferred to Zoning Inspector Nate Troyer.
“For the last seven and a half years I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere but in this village working with these people,” Brooks said.
Brooks’ resignation is effective Dec. 9, at which time Troyer will take over as administrator.
Mayor Jeff Huebner said the impetus behind the decision to vacate Brook’s position is a financial one. By eliminating Brooks’ position, the village will save $83,969.79 in salary and benefits.
Reducing the position is part of a larger package of cuts to find approximately $450,000 in savings, Huebner said. Among other cuts brought up at Monday’s meeting were closing the Crissey Memorial Pool in 2012 and a plan to reduce spending in the police department by $50,000.
The cuts are necessary, Huebner said, after voters turned down a .5 percent income tax Nov. 8 that would have generated $500,000 for the village.
Huebner said a list of proposed cuts has been prepared but declined to comment further. The list will be discussed at council’s next meeting.
The meeting was attended by about two dozen individuals supporting Brooks. Those who spoke urged council to retain Brooks.
Former Millersburg mayor and resident Dave Shrock said he understands the village needs to save money but noted that Brooks has brought in far more to the village than his salary in the form of grant dollars.
“I think most people disagree” with the layoff decision, Shrock said.
Huebner stressed the decision was strictly financial.
“This is not a firing,” Huebner said. “As this village was aware, with failure of the (income tax) there would be drastic cuts. This is a financial decision.”
At one point, public comment began to question whether Troyer will be able to serve the village as well as Brooks. Brooks interrupted and voiced his support both for Troyer and council’s decision.
“I do not want to turn this into me against Nate. I support this decision,” Brooks said. “I can’t stand here and listen to (Troyer) being thrown under the bus. I can’t sit here and further myself at someone else’s expense. I appreciate you guys coming out and everything you’ve done for me.”
Brooks further challenged his supporters, who included merchants, representative of Historic Downtown Millersburg and residents, “to get behind” council and support them if the decision is made to try the income tax again.
Brooks was informed of council’s decision to put the layoff to a vote at 6 p.m. Nov. 8. At the time, Huebner was awaiting election results on the income tax. He said Brooks’ position would have been cut regardless of results.
Solicitor Bob Hines declined comment as to when discussions revolving around Brooks’ position began. He said the discussions were all in executive session and therefore are not open to disclosure.
However, Hines said, “it was duly considered before tonight.”
The zoning inspector position was created in 2003, splitting off the duties from then-administrator Andrew Jones. The position was necessary then because of a “building boom” in the village. The village has since lost “two major employers and 300 residents,” Huebner said. With the current economy, the duties can be incorporated back into one position.
By offering council his resignation, Brooks relieved them of a vote on the layoff. Council unanimously accepted the resignation.
Brooks’ tone throughout the meeting was to express solidarity in moving forward with whatever is best for the village.
After council’s vote, Brooks left the meeting openly weeping. He did not return, and his bi-weekly administrator’s report was presented by Huebner.
Troyer’s salary will hold at its present level of $41,987 per year as he takes over the administrator position.
Brooks, who has served as administrator for more than seven years, offered his resignation to council after a half hour executive session. The executive session was originally called to discuss whether Brooks should be permanently laid off and his duties transferred to Zoning Inspector Nate Troyer.
“For the last seven and a half years I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere but in this village working with these people,” Brooks said.
Brooks’ resignation is effective Dec. 9, at which time Troyer will take over as administrator.
Mayor Jeff Huebner said the impetus behind the decision to vacate Brook’s position is a financial one. By eliminating Brooks’ position, the village will save $83,969.79 in salary and benefits.
Reducing the position is part of a larger package of cuts to find approximately $450,000 in savings, Huebner said. Among other cuts brought up at Monday’s meeting were closing the Crissey Memorial Pool in 2012 and a plan to reduce spending in the police department by $50,000.
The cuts are necessary, Huebner said, after voters turned down a .5 percent income tax Nov. 8 that would have generated $500,000 for the village.
Huebner said a list of proposed cuts has been prepared but declined to comment further. The list will be discussed at council’s next meeting.
The meeting was attended by about two dozen individuals supporting Brooks. Those who spoke urged council to retain Brooks.
Former Millersburg mayor and resident Dave Shrock said he understands the village needs to save money but noted that Brooks has brought in far more to the village than his salary in the form of grant dollars.
“I think most people disagree” with the layoff decision, Shrock said.
Huebner stressed the decision was strictly financial.
“This is not a firing,” Huebner said. “As this village was aware, with failure of the (income tax) there would be drastic cuts. This is a financial decision.”
At one point, public comment began to question whether Troyer will be able to serve the village as well as Brooks. Brooks interrupted and voiced his support both for Troyer and council’s decision.
“I do not want to turn this into me against Nate. I support this decision,” Brooks said. “I can’t stand here and listen to (Troyer) being thrown under the bus. I can’t sit here and further myself at someone else’s expense. I appreciate you guys coming out and everything you’ve done for me.”
Brooks further challenged his supporters, who included merchants, representative of Historic Downtown Millersburg and residents, “to get behind” council and support them if the decision is made to try the income tax again.
Brooks was informed of council’s decision to put the layoff to a vote at 6 p.m. Nov. 8. At the time, Huebner was awaiting election results on the income tax. He said Brooks’ position would have been cut regardless of results.
Solicitor Bob Hines declined comment as to when discussions revolving around Brooks’ position began. He said the discussions were all in executive session and therefore are not open to disclosure.
However, Hines said, “it was duly considered before tonight.”
The zoning inspector position was created in 2003, splitting off the duties from then-administrator Andrew Jones. The position was necessary then because of a “building boom” in the village. The village has since lost “two major employers and 300 residents,” Huebner said. With the current economy, the duties can be incorporated back into one position.
By offering council his resignation, Brooks relieved them of a vote on the layoff. Council unanimously accepted the resignation.
Brooks’ tone throughout the meeting was to express solidarity in moving forward with whatever is best for the village.
After council’s vote, Brooks left the meeting openly weeping. He did not return, and his bi-weekly administrator’s report was presented by Huebner.
Troyer’s salary will hold at its present level of $41,987 per year as he takes over the administrator position.
Published: November 15, 2011
