Mills Receives 4.89 Out Of 5 On Performance Evaluation; Gets Raise

Cookeville City Manager James Mills received a 4.89 out of 5 on his annual performance evaluation.

Attorney Dan Rader shared the results of the evaluation Thursday night. City Council members graded Mills confidentially on 50 different categories. Rader said Mills received a perfect score on leadership and a nearly perfect score on staff and personnel relations.

“I’m sort of blown away here,” Mills said. “I don’t really know what to say, and that’s not really like me. I sincerely thank you, and you guys really make my job a lot easier when I’ve got people like you willing to serve and sacrifice the time that you guys do and help us make decisions that we’ll all be proud of years in the future.”

The council also voted to give Mills an eight percent raise, based on the evaluation and on the city’s recent salary study. The raise brings the city manager more inline with other leaders in similar size communities.

“He did a very good job over the past several years of bringing up all of our employees’ wages,” Council Member Eric Walker said. “It is now our responsibility and privilege now to do that for Mr. Mills as well. And this does put Mr. Mills in that frames that he should be in. And not only does that, but it rewards him for his hard work.”

Council Member Ali Bagci said Mills has been a blessing to the city and to the new council members learning the ropes of the job.

In other business Thursday night, the council approved an engineering agreement to begin work on sewer for the South Creek subdivision. Clinton Engineering will design the sewer which will serve some 95 parcels.

Council also approved the purchase of a wire tensioner and cable puller for Cookeville Electric. The city will move forward with the purchase of some $28,000 in dumpsters. The Dogwood Park Christmas Tree will be replaced, after council approved the low bid of $40,600.

City Council recognized Officer Clint Cannon as the Cookeville Police Officer of the Year.

“It is certainly our honor to recognize him and we certainly appreciate his effort,” Chief Randy Evans said. “And I know he’s going to spend many more years with us and provide such quality service to our community.”

The annual award goes to an officer who exhibits superior performance, initiative, leadership, dedication, professionalism and motivation. Cannon began serving the city in 2020. He was just recently recognized for his work during a fire at the Best Western Hotel.

Evans also presented the life-saving award and the distinguished citizen award.