Numerous McMinnville employees recently completed Municipal Management Academy training, which is a succession plan put in place by the city.
“In government employment our job duties change daily and we need to have qualified supervisors trained to handle these changes and convey them to their employees,” said Human Resource Administrator Fredia Black. “
Black says succession planning is a progressive way for the city to assure all departments run smoothly in case a department head or supervisor is absent or leaves employment with the city.
MMA training is provided by the University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), an agency of the UT Institute for Public Service. Each level of the program provides 32 hours of training and development for managers and supervisors in local governments through the state.
According to MTAS, the training program contains multiple four-hour courses designed to help both new and experienced supervisors develop the knowledge, skills and abilities required for successful management and supervision in the work environment. Participants generally note improvements in cohesiveness, communication, and cooperation in the workplace as well as greater self-confidence in managing their responsibilities.
“By conducting this high quality training from MTAS, we can give our current supervisors additional training and potential supervisors the skills they need in case they have to step into a supervisory role,” said Black. “This assures the public still receives the dedicated service they expect from the city and city employees know what to expect from their supervisors.”
The following departments had employees complete level one training in 2009 and level two training in 2010:
• Administration — David Rutherford, Shirley Durham, Fredia Black and Shirl McCormick.
• Public Works — Bill Brock and Brad Hennessee.
• Water and Wastewater — Ricky Morton and Tony Myers.
• Parks and Recreation — Dawn Hitchcock, Justin Scott and Mark Kell.
• Urban Forestry — Hank Patton
• Police Department — Charlie Sewell, Chuck Taylor, Lisa Norris, Nichole Mosley and Mark Mara.
• Fire Department — Kevin Lawrence.
Public Works employee Charles Slaughter completed level one training in 2009, but did not attend level two training.
The following employees completed level one training in 2010 and level two training in 2011:
• Police Department — Derwin Adcock, Bill Davis, Bryan Denton, Robert Hutchins, Tim Jones and Mike Lane.
• Water Department — Andy Evans and Paul Williamson.
• Parks and Recreation — Kristie Sanders.
• Fire Department — Phil Mitchell.
Water Department’s Nolan Campbell and Dewayne Rackley, as well as Public Works’ Frank Southard, completed level one training in 2010. None of the three attended level two training.
“I’m proud of everyone,” said McMinnville Mayor Norman Rone. “They were asked to step up to the plate and they did that. We didn’t hear any gripes or complaints. We have a bunch of dedicated employees.”
Rone says the need to increase this type of training became apparent after the city’s financial situation required the city to place a hiring freeze.
“We didn’t want to do it, but what we found was the city ran more efficiently and effectively,” Rone said in regard to the hiring freeze. “We are still offering the same amount of services with less staff. We are cross training individuals in all departments and it is freeing up money to get our reserves up.”
Mayor Rone presented all graduates in both levels with certificates.