Mills Receives 4.7 Out Of 5 On Assessment

Cookeville City Manager James Mills received a 4.76 on his annual assessment from city council members.

City Attorney Dan Rader said Mills’ composite score is graded on a one-to-five scale, with five being best. Rader called it an exceptional performance.

“We all know Cookeville was confronted with some very serious things that nobody could have anticipated such as the tornado and now the COVID,” Rader said. “Mr. Mills has guided the city and staff, with the leadership of the council, through all these things.”

The evaluation includes some 50 different questions over six categories.

“Everything from interaction with council, keeping the council informed, planning long-range, fiduciary issues, interactions in the community, multiple, multiple categories,” Shelton said. “You know, directing the city runs like a business,” Shelton said. “The council is like the board and the city manager is like the CEO who carries out and all the departments report to him. And so we have to have good relationships and and good leadership. And he has definitely displayed that.”

Part of the evaluation period includes Mills’ time as interim city manager. Council Member Laurin Wheaton said Mills has done an exceptional job.