Summary of HB 2668 (Session 114, Tennessee) — Monterey Governance
Author: Rep. Sexton; Sen. Bailey (S.B. 2732)
Jurisdiction: Tennessee; Town of Monterey
Purpose
- To reform the local government structure of the town of Monterey by removing obsolete provisions that allowed the mayor to serve ex officio as Recorder, and to establish a formal Town Administrator position with defined powers, duties, and qualifications. The act would amend Chapter 492 of the Acts of 1901 (and related private acts) and takes effect only if approved by a two-thirds vote of Monterey’s legislative body.
Key Provisions
1) Elimination of Mayor as Ex Officio Recorder
- Deletes the third sentence in Section 3 of Chapter 492 (as amended by prior acts), removing provisions that authorize the Mayor to serve as ex officio Recorder for the town.
2) Election Timing Clarification
- Amends Section 4, second paragraph, by substituting: “Such election shall be held at the next following regularly scheduled election in November.” This clarifies the timing for certain elections (likely related to the Recorder or Town governance appointments).
3) Removal of Mayor as Recorder Covenant
- Amends Section 5 by deleting the language “in case the Mayor declines to serve as Recorder,” effectively removing any contingency or obligation tied to the Mayor serving as Recorder.
4) Creation of the Office of Town Administrator
- Adds a new Section 18 (renumbering subsequent sections accordingly) to create the Office of Town Administrator for Monterey.
- Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BMA) Responsibilities:
- Select and appoint the Town Administrator.
- Fix the Administrator’s salary.
Qualifications and Residency:
- Administrator must be selected based on training, experience, and administrative qualifications.
- Minimum qualifications: associate’s degree plus training/experience in municipal management, utility management, or public administration.
- CMFO certification required (definition: Certified Municipal Finance Officer).
- Administrator must devote full-time to duties.
- Residency: Administrator must reside in Putnam County within six months of employment.
Bond:
- Administrator (or acting Administrator) must furnish a corporate surety bond approved by the BMA, in an amount determined by the Board. Premium charged to Monterey.
Duties of the Town Administrator:
- Supervise and coordinate town departments per Board policies and directives.
- Keep the Board advised on Town conditions and needs.
- Serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Town.
- Collaborate with the Town Recorder annually to prepare budgets for all Town departments under Board control.
- Determine, implement, and administer personnel and pay structures.
- Participate with Civil Service Board in applicant interviews when needed.
- Serve as liaison between the Board and other town activities and separate boards (including Civil Service Board).
- Recommend improvements to public services.
- Oversee planning, prioritization, feasibility, and direction of public works and improvements; set project priorities.
- Improve quality of life in coordination with the Community Relations Manager.
- Report on the condition of property and equipment; recommend repairs/replacements.
- Responsible for all Town tourism duties.
- Administer purchasing activities for the Town.
- Perform other duties as required by the Board.
Departmental Cooperation:
- All subordinate officers, the Town Recorder, and the Town Attorney must assist the Administrator in Town affairs.
Meetings:
- The Town Administrator shall attend all Board of Mayor and Aldermen meetings, and may attend other commissions/boards/committees as desired or directed. The Administrator shall be heard on matters he/she wishes to speak on and shall cooperate with other bodies.
5) Effective Date and Local Approval
- Section 5: This act requires approval by two-thirds of Monterey’s legislative body to take effect.
- Section 6: If approved, the act becomes law upon the public welfare requirement; otherwise, its effective date aligns with Section 5’s result.
Impact and Practical Considerations
Governance Structure:
- Monterey would move from a mayoral-ex officio recorder model to a professional Town Administrator framework, centralizing administrative leadership and budgeting under a single appointed official.
Financial and Administrative Effects:
- Establishment of the Town Administrator role with salary setting, bonding, and full-time employment signals a more formal municipal management approach.
- The Administrator would act as CFO and budget coordinator, potentially altering budgeting processes and oversight of personnel, purchasing, and public works.
Residency and Qualification:
- The requirement for residency in Putnam County within six months could affect potential hires and local hiring patterns.
Local Approval Threshold:
- The measure must be approved by two-thirds of Monterey’s legislative body, meaning broad local consensus is required to enact these changes.
Procedural Timeline (as indicated)
- The bill is moving through Tennessee’s private acts pathway, with committee referrals and sponsor actions noted in the action history.
- Final enactment depends on Monterey’s two-thirds local approval; once approved, it becomes effective per Section 6.
Overall, HB 2668 seeks to modernize Monterey’s municipal administration by removing obsolete functions, clarifying election timing, and instituting a dedicated Town Administrator with clearly defined duties, qualifications, and accountability.
