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Smithville Board of Aldermen members sent a mixed message on City Administrator Gerry Vernon’s performance.

During a Nov. 3 board meeting, board members split on whether to renew Vernon’s annual employment contract with a 3-3 vote.

And board members’ performance reviews of Vernon also varied greatly. His highest marks from an alderman were 27 points out of a possible 30 points. On the opposite end, his lowest grade was 3 out of 30.

The tie vote on his contract resulted in his status changing from a contractual employee to an at-will employee. The biggest difference with the change is that if the city terminates Vernon, he would no longer be entitled to severance pay. When he was under contract, his contract stated he could receive the equivalent of six months pay as severance if he was let go.

Now, removal of Vernon would require consensus among the mayor plus four of the six aldermen or five aldermen without the mayor’s involvement.

Board members’ opinions of Vernon’s performance were across the board.

Following the meeting, Bob Foreman, who often questions staff recommendations, said he voted against renewing Vernon’s contract because he thinks the city needs a new leader.

“It’s nothing personal. I just think we need some new ideas, some fresh ideas, a fresh perspective at City Hall,” Foreman said. “It’s not that Gerry is doing anything wrong. I’d just like a different approach to the same issues.”

Alderman Brian Fullmer, who voted in favor of renewing Vernon’s contract, said he was “very disappointed” with the board’s decision to not renew the contract.

“Gerry is very competent, is highly respected by his staff and has made some very significant contributions to the city,” Fullmer said. “It is very difficult for Gerry to be able to do his job when he does not have the support and confidence of the Board of Aldermen.”

Fullmer said the board’s action could negatively affect the entire city staff.

“I’m concerned that we’re going to see more turnover with the direction that the board is going,” he said.

Aldermen Foreman, Mark Krokstrom and Adam Naber voted against the contract renewal. Aldermen Fullmer, Carol Shaffer and Jake Hild voted in favor of the renewal.

Mayor Carol Troutwine said that, legally, she could not vote to break a tie concerning the employment of an appointed employee. She based her conclusion on a previous state court case as well as advice from legal counsel.

As a result, the motion to renew the contract failed.

In a prepared statement, Vernon, who annually earns $78,112 plus a $6,000 car allowance, said that while the split vote was disappointing, he will continue to do his job until he’s terminated or resigns.

He said his performance evaluation, which occurred during a closed meeting with the board and mayor following the open meeting, left him with a good idea of the board’s expectations.

“I plan to review the written component of the evaluation and review my notes from the discussion to better meet the needs of the board in the short term and become a better manager in the long term,” he wrote in his statement.

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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