McMinnville officials will be seeking to hire a director to oversee its Community Development Department. 

The city Building and Grounds Committee unanimously approved beginning the hiring process to officially replace Nolan Ming as director of the city’s codes department. Ming was named city administrator in April 2019. Since that time, he has been overseeing both responsibilities.

 “I feel like this is long overdue and definitely a position we need to fill,” said Alderman Steve Harvey. “Not having it filled puts an unnecessary strain on Nolan and performing his job as city administrator. I think it’s time that we fill this position. Hopefully, the hiring process will work out and this will be in next year’s fiscal budget at just about the right time.” 

Fiscal year 2020-21 ends June 30. As a cost-saving measure, officials removed the director’s salary from that budget. 

Alderman Everett Brock says money will be added back into the 2021-22 fiscal year budget which begins July 1. 

“We do need to get this money in the budget,” said Brock. “Part of our budget process is to get money back in there. I would start this process as soon as possible.” 

Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) will be asked to assist the city in the hiring process. At this time, it is unclear whom will receive the final say on the individual hired: Ming, as the current city administrator, or the McMinnville Board of Mayor and Aldermen.