Pikeville board gives town administrator more authority
By Andrew Bell
Published in News on October 4, 2006 1:46 PM
Although the Pikeville Board of Commissioners chose Monday night not to change to a council-type municipal government, the board did grant the town administrator more authority over the town's day-to-day business.
Pikeville officials are allowed under state law to organize or reorganize what form of government the residents live under. The town's existing government involves a town administrator and the board of commissioners.
Mayor Herb Sieger said changing to a council-town manager format would make Town Administrator Bob Buchanan the chief administrator of town affairs. The new role would allow him to oversee every department employee, giving him the authority to hire and fire workers. Buchanan would also be in charge of reporting on the town's finances and creating the annual budget.
Buchanan is responsible for a majority of these duties as town administrator, but the commissioners approved the town administrator to handle the town's day-to-day operations, including human resources.
After the commissioners unanimously approved increasing the position's responsibilities, Buchanan said the board has given him the authority and direction to do what's in the best interest of Pikeville.
Before the commissioners voted, residents Dennis Lewis and Vance Greeson told the board during the public hearing they were opposed to the change. Greeson said the job responsibilities between a town administrator and manager didn't differ enough to make the change.
Lewis agreed saying the board shouldn't be willing to give more authority to the town administrator.
In other business, the Pikeville Board of Commissioners approved changes to the town's fee schedule. Although all flat rates remain unchanged, the town will implement pro rates for people who want electrical, water, sewer or garbage service temporarily up to 10 days. Residential electrical rates will be .271 cents per day. Businesses will be charged .336 cents per day. Both residential and businesses will be charged a $25 connection fee for electrical service. Other rates will include .542 cents per day for water services, .263 cents per day for sewer and .328 cents per day for garbage service.
The board also unanimously approved a $16,865 bid from Cox-Edwards to install about 300 feet of sewer lines to serve the Family Dollar store off of U.S. 117.