TEXARKANA, Ark. - During a meeting Monday, the city Board of Directors ended its six-week search for a new city manager with a unanimous vote to approve an employment contract for Jay Ellington, a Ruston, Louisiana, official who will assume his new duties June 1.
The hire comes after a quick-moving recruitment and interview process following the unexpected resignation of former City Manager Kenny Haskin on April 1.
"Community is about all of us. We don't need to leave anybody out. I don't care what color, creed or anything else they are.
"We are one area, one place. Even though we have a line that runs down the middle of this community, we're still one community," Ellington said after the vote.
"It's about all of us every day. So I'm just one piece, but hopefully I'll be an important piece for you. I'll do my part, with your direction," he said.
Ellington has served as interim city manager in Corpus Christi, Texas, and as administrative/general services director in Ruston. His experience also includes stints as parks and recreation director in Manassas, Virginia, and Butte, Montana.
He earned a bachelor's degree in recreation administration from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from Centenary College, and he is a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute-Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia.
The Board also voted to name Finance Director TyRhonda Henderson interim city manager and transition leader for the remainder of May. Another vote amended the city budget to account for a $75,000-plus expenditure needed to pay for Ellington's and Henderson's compensation.
Ward 2 Director Laney Harris cast the sole no vote on both measures, questioning Henderson's background and saying he felt the move was unnecessary because Interim City Manager David Haak could continue to work unpaid.
"I don't know that we really need a transition leader," Harris said.
Mayor Allen Brown countered that the "very unique situation" presented by the two Texarkanas' relationship justified the "minimal expense" of "helping the new city manager move forward."
Henderson's responsibility is to "be basically his (Ellington's) right-hand man" and "make the transition as easy and seamless as possible," she said after the meeting.
Brown thanked the Board for its work, as well as the staff of Express Employment Professionals, a local employment service that placed recruitment ads and managed correspondence with candidates on a volunteer basis.
"I really appreciate your cooperation. You guys have made this possible for us to get a city manager not only of Jay's capabilities and Jay's experience, but also one as quick as we did to keep our city moving forward," he said.
In other business, the Board approved spending more than $43,800 for software and services needed to recover from a cyberattack that crippled city information technology last December.
Henderson told the Board that the measures could lead to full restoration of data lost in the attack and insurance payments are expected to reimburse the city for the expenditures.
The Board also approved purchase of a new pickup for animal control officers. Total cost of the Ford truck and related equipment such as kennel compartments is more than $75,200, planned for in the current city budget.
The Board's next meeting is scheduled for June 7.