Murfreesboro mayor: City Council wanted new leadership
Scott Broden
Daily News Journal
The Murfreesboro City Council and recently resigned City Manager Rob Lyons agreed to part ways, Mayor Shane McFarland said.
"In short, it was clear to the city manager and to council that changes for management purposes were needed, and those changes were made in a manner that provides the best long-term benefit of the city," the mayor said in a Thursday email to USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee.
When Lyons resigned on Dec. 15, McFarland stressed that the former city manager had not been asked to resign.
More:Murfreesboro City Manager Rob Lyons resigns
Councilman Eddie Smotherman echoed McFarland's sentiments in the Thursday email.
"I think the mayor's comments sum it up pretty well," Smotherman said during a Thursday afternoon phone interview. "I'm just looking forward to getting a new manager in position."
Attempts to contact Vice Mayor Madelyn Scales Harris and council members Rick LaLance, Bill Shacklett and Kirt Wade on Thursday were unsuccessful.
More:Murfreesboro City Council will pay former city manager half his salary for 6 months
The council voted 6-0 to give Lyons half of his annual $173,813 salary and the city's share of health and dental insurance. In return, he agreed to be available to advise the city while collecting his salary for the next six months.
"While it was Mr. Lyons (who) chose to resign when he did, that decision was made within the context of his existing employment agreement," McFarland said. "As a result, council's acceptance of the terms of Mr. Lyon's separation from the city is consistent with its dedication to assuring that the city continues to recruit top-level administrative leadership."
Lyons' resignation follows those of two department heads he hired. Former Police Chief Karl Durr stepped down in October after 18 months on the job. Human Resources Director Glen Godwin agreed to resign after Lyons asked him to do so in June.
More:Murfreesboro vice mayor involved in firing of Glen Godwin, attorney says
McFarland: 'Change is inevitable'
Before Lyons resigned, he named Michael Bowen as the new police chief and Pam Russell as the new human resources director.
"Organizations are dynamic and change is inevitable, even at the top level," the mayor said. "That is certainly true of an organization like the city that serves a rapidly growing population.
"For these organizations, the benefit of new and different perspectives and skills from its senior managers sometimes becomes apparent. This is the primary reason for the changes the city has recently experienced."
Change in leadership positions must be handled in a fashion that most benefits the city over the long term, the mayor said, adding that Lyons, Durr and Godwin all made "very positive contributions to the city."
Reach Scott Broden at sbroden@dnj.com or on Twitter @ScottBroden.