News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Sparta officials will review options after one of two city administrator candidates dropped out of consideration Wednesday.
Keith Morrison decided to stay put as Algood City administrator. Mayor Jeff Young said Morrison’s decision leaves McMinnville Public Works Director Brad Hennessee as the lone candidate.
“The board and I had a discussion about it, and what we plan to do is reach out to Mr. Hennessee and have another discussion with him,” Young said. “We’ll make a decision at that point…whether or not to proceed with the hire of him or review other options at that time.”
The Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen chose not to hire the city administrator during Wednesday’s meeting. Young announced later that night that Morrison withdrew his name from consideration.
Morrison said family ultimately drove him to remove his name from consideration.
“Staying in Algood was better for my family right now,” Morrison said. “I just couldn’t work out anything that I felt like was going to be an improvement for my family by going to Sparta right now.”
Morrison informed city officials and staff on Thursday of his decision to stay in Algood.
Young said Thursday morning that the city could ultimately decide to re-open the application period.
“That’s always possible. You never want to close that door or eliminate that opportunity for anyone,” Young said. “We did have several good candidates, and of course, part of what we have to do is not only find who the best qualified is, but also someone who is a good fit for our situation. Somebody that’s going to be the right person to be the city administrator of Sparta.”
Sparta’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen next meet again on Thursday, June 20. Young said the board could decide to announce the hire during that meeting.
