Aldermen prepare to evaluate Rutherford

Has it been almost six months already? Not quite, but city administrator David Rutherford will be undergoing an evaluation for his job performance soon.

McMinnville officials are currently discussing the best way to evaluate him before the city’s annual planning retreat to be held at city hall Sept. 29 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. That date is the date set for the evaluation.

Currently, officials are looking at two different evaluation forms received from the Tennessee Municipal League (TML). The forms are supposed to help with the evaluation process, but instead they seem to be making the process more difficult.

The process might not be as cut and dried as the forms. Rutherford has been doing more than he has been asked to do ‘ a plus for the city but difficult for evaluation.

‘This evaluation is hard,’ said Alderman Jimmy Haley while talking to Rutherford at a recent meeting. ‘Some of the things you’ve done, you haven’t been technically assigned to do. Everything I’ve asked you to do you’ve done.’

Others are also finding the evaluation forms difficult.

‘The only thing that I’ve thought about is, at one point on one of these forms, that I’m not sure I have enough information to give a proper answer,’ said Alderman Patti Nunley.

Because some seem to be having a hard time with the evaluation forms, Mayor Royce Davenport jokingly added that they could always use the old method, ‘During the planning conference, I’m going to bring a little cup. We will all have six white balls and six black balls.’

Although unlikely to be used, except for breaking a stressful moment as in this case, the balls could be used for officials to cast their vote. Those satisfied with his performance will drop in a white ball and those not, will drop in a black one.

Despite the chaos the evaluation forms have caused, officials are ready to move forward with the purchase of a vehicle for the administration department. Within the budget is $20,000 for a vehicle to be used by Rutherford while handling business for the city.

Officials gave permission to purchase the next good deal after missing an opportunity to purchase a $30,000 sticker-priced 2007 Mercury Marquis for around $16,000. The opportunity to purchase the Mercury was missed because the process of asking elected officials permission at the next committee meeting, about a two week wait, gave someone else time to act.

Sample of one evaluation form:

One of the forms asks for officials to rate the following questions 1 to 5, with 1 being well below standard (unsatisfactory), 2 being below standard (marginal), 3 being on standard (satisfactory), 4 being above standard (commendable) and 5 being well above standard (outstanding):

‘ Understands and identifies with the basic goals, philosophy, and values of the city of McMinnville.

‘ Anticipates problems before they occur.

‘ Makes good use of resources including employees, outside experts, supplies, equipment, budget, etc.

‘ Is responsive to requests and suggestions made by the Mayor and/or Board.

‘ Deals effectively with the media.

‘ Uses time effectively and efficiently: Meets deadlines.

‘ Has a positive attitude toward the public.

‘ Has a genuine concern for people within the organization.