BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
LAKE BUTLER—The contract has been signed, and everything is official – Kimberly Hayes will be the new Lake Butler city manager with an anticipated start date of Jan. 4, 2024. The date is anticipated because it may be delayed a few days to allow her to fulfill her obligation to Union County, where she has been employed for over six years as the director of the solid waste department.
At its regular meeting on Dec. 19, 2023, the board voted unanimously to approve the contract on a motion by Commissioner Annette Redman. In another motion made by Vice-Mayor Melissa Hendrix, the commission voted unanimously to have the authority and responsibilities of the city manager revert from Mayor David Stegall to Hayes, effective on her anticipated start date, and if the date is adjusted for Stegall to retain the authority until the actual start date. Another motion, also approved unanimously, made by Commissioner Rondoll Huggins, provided for the role of city interim clerk to revert from Hayden Page to Hayes on the same dates and conditions.
In a comment at the end of the meeting, Stegall stated that he was “looking forward to Kim starting” and reassured her that he would still be at city hall to assist with her transition.
In other discussion and action, the Lake Butler City Commission:
- Unanimously approved a motion by Redman on the second reading of an ordinance to ban smoking and vaping in city parks. The rule will go into effect immediately, and signs informing park visitors will be posted.
- Discussed the hiring of Secur-Tel Security and its camera proposal for parks, Union Depot, and city hall. The service will include enhanced security cameras and security system monitoring from Secur-Tel for the total installation amount of $6,650 and direct the staff to divide the expense between repairs and maintenance for the affected areas. Redman made a motion to table the issue until later, and the motion passed the board unanimously.
- Heard a report from City Attorney John Maines concerning new financial disclosure documentation which must be submitted to the state annually. The new requirements are iron-clad and several city commissioners around the state have resigned rather than submit their private lives to public scrutiny. If an elected official neglects or refuses to send their information in, they will be removed from office, and the governor will choose a replacement. The required document is a detailed financial disclosure, and officials must list every asset they possess that has value, including bank accounts, property, investments, retirement accounts, collections (such as coins), and personal property (such as valuable jewelry). There is also required to be some reporting of a spouse’s assets. “Send in the required paperwork or step down,” Maines told the commissioners.
- Appointed current budget analyst consultant Dave Mecusker to the salaried position of Finance Director. Hayes requested the appointment as she felt he was a resource to the city and could help her adjust to her new position (he is a former Lake Butler city manager who retired). Stegall made the appointment under his authority as mayor.
