BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Starke’s attorney has successfully negotiated a contract with Drew Mullins, the city’s next manager.
His first day on the job was Friday, Oct. 1.
The two-year contract begins with a starting salary of $80,000. Opportunities to increase that salary include completing three management credentialing courses, for a total increase of 3%. He will also receive annual cost of living increases when other employees do, and optional increases from the commission based on positive performance evaluations.
Health insurance and a retirement plan are also provided, as is $5,000 for relocation expenses. The city may opt to provide him a work vehicle and incidental personal travel within a 50-mile radius, far enough to get to Gainesville or Jacksonville. Otherwise, the city will provide Mullins with a vehicle allowance.
Termination without cause requires a majority vote of the commission following at least five days written notice. Severance pay would be equivalent of 14 weeks’ salary. Termination with cause by a majority vote of the commission requires no notice and results in no severance.
Mullins communicated with the commission via text and phone call at the Sept. 21 meeting during which the contract was approved. He said he was 100% committed to completing the credentialing courses offered through the International City/County Management Association. He thanked the commission, and commissioners welcomed him aboard.
City Clerk-Elect Jimmy Crosby, who will take office Oct. 5, was with Mullins on Friday, offering him a tour of the town and an opportunity to meet the people.
Mullins studied government at the University of Virginia. He previously worked as interim clerk and town manager for the Town of Pound, Virginia. He said he was brought in to assist with water and sewer issues and was overseeing the consolidation of the town’s utility systems with the Wise County Public Service Authority. This would allow the town to continue without water and wastewater debt and would ensure citizens have clean drinking water and waterways free from contaminants.
Prior to that, Mullins was town manager for Coeburn, Virginia, beginning in April 2013. He said the job was particularly challenging as the town was near fiscal insolvency when he began. A former employee had embezzled funds, and the town had a lack of equipment and aging infrastructure. He said he learned the value of assembling a highly motivated a productive team.
The small town had a $2.3 million budget and 30 full- and part-time employees. During his time, Mullins reestablished and directly supervised the public works department. He secured $10 million in state and federal funding to replace and construct new water and sewer lines, replace all the water meters, and make upgrades to the plant.
Finances were stabilized after six years of mismanagement, Mullins said. The city’s bills totaled more than $300,000 on his first day. By the time he left, Coeburn had a positive cash flow and a reserve fund.
Mullins also worked with the planning commission to update the comprehensive plan and worked with the county to remove blighted properties. He helped establish monthly meetings with county leaders to improve communication.
Raises, bonuses, updated personnel policies and a more relaxed work environment also resulted in reduced turnover across departments.
Mullins is married and once owned and operated Fourth Avenue Baked Goods with his wife.
