City officials want to redo Llewellyn’s contract

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

LLEWELLYN

McMinnville officials gave notice Monday that City Administrator Herb Llewellyn’s employment contract won’t be renewed, in its current form, when it expires in November.

Members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen indicated they are willing to discuss future terms of Llewellyn’s employment, as most appear to be pleased with his performance as one of the city’s top officials. Instead, officials indicated they are bothered by some of the contract terms.

Mayor Royce Davenport said the matter was more of a technical one rather than one related to job performance.

“This is concerns about contracts rather than concerns about Mr. Llewellyn,” Davenport clarified with board members.

According to the contract aldermen approved in November 2002, the length of the contract was for one year. However, in simplest terms, the contract language essentially automatically extends the agreement for one year each November unless a 120-day written notice is given.

Additionally, according to that contract, a decision to end the agreement requires a super-majority vote, which is five of seven total votes of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, while it takes four votes to terminate.

Llewellyn said Thursday he was not taken by surprise by Monday’s action. He said he did not originally seek the contract, and that a former aldermen who is no longer in office wanted him to have such a contract.

Vice Mayor Patti Nunley said she believes Llewellyn should become an “at-will” employee, but there was no indication of what future terms of Llewellyn’s employment will be.

“This does not in any way change his employment,” she said. “It just says that come November, that contract can be dealt with.”

Aldermen voted unanimously not to renew the contract. Alderman Bobby Kirby said following the meeting he did not like the wording that basically allows the contract to self-renew. Davenport said he had spoken with Llewellyn prior to Monday’s action.

Llewellyn serves under the direction of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. His duties include making recommendations to and advising the board, recommending an annual budget, disciplining and supervising employees and several other administrative functions.