Collegedale hires new city manager, adjusts retirement plan for former manager

Staff photo by Erin O. Smith / The clock tower in front of Collegedale City Hall is pictured Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Collegedale, Tennessee.
Staff photo by Erin O. Smith / The clock tower in front of Collegedale City Hall is pictured Wednesday, March 20, 2019, in Collegedale, Tennessee.

The city of Collegedale has hired Wayon Hines, city engineer and interim city manager, to serve as its next city manager.

Hines, a 14-year resident, was selected from a pool of four potential hires who were interviewed on May 11 by the city commission. The commission selected him, and adjusted the retirement plan for its former manager, on Monday.

Hines will replace Ted Rogers, who announced his retirement in February after allegations that he failed to effectively communicate with the board about a city park partnership with the McKee Foods Corp. Rogers maintained that he was leaving on his own volition, rather than because of any outside forces.

During his interview, Hines said that, if chosen, he would be the best candidate because of his prior knowledge and experience with the city. He also conveyed plans to further Collegedale's social media presence and communication in and outside of city hall.

"When I was honored with the appointment to be the interim city manager over the last two months, we've been able to make some big strides forward in some changes, and I don't think we have completed all of those changes yet, and I would like to see them through," he said.

"I believe, because of where the city's at right now, my ability to listen and hear the employees and describe a vision and execution path so that we will move forward in those directions is why I would be the most qualified."

On Monday, commissioners spent time discussing their top two picks, Hines and candidate Melissa Marsh, before voting to approve Hines with a vote of 3-2. Mayor Katie Lamb and Commissioner Phil Garver voted against the appointment.

Commissioner Ethan White said during the meeting that in his talks with city employees about Hines' time as the interim city manager for the past few months, he found that Hines had gained their favor and trust.

"I know a lot of staff was very concerned with working with Wayon, and they have done a 180 degrees," White said. "And I don't think I talked to one city staff person that even sat on the fence any longer. They were all almost begging, some were, that they wanted to work for Mr. Hines.

"The mindset and the motivation of staff is very, very important for us to keep moving forward for them to be working for somebody that they trust."

When asked during his interview for the position how he would have handled the park partnership in comparison to Rogers, Hines said he would have presented the plans at about the 60% mark of the plan's completion, 18 months to 2 years before Rogers presented the plans in early 2021.

After announcing his departure from the city, Rogers' retirement compensation plan was initially approved by the board in March. The members voted again on Monday to adjust his package.

As first approved, the city will continue to pay Rogers his full salary until December 31, 2021. Under the adjustments, they removed car and phone allowances as well as ceased paying any organizational dues and retention payments. The city also now will require Rogers to return his phone and laptop by the end of the current billing cycle for the phone.

Contact Tierra Hayes at thayes@timesfreepress.com.

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