ADMINISTRATOR OF JACKSON WILL RETIRE

JACKSON -- Jackson City Administrator Carl Talley will step down this fall from the job he's held for 24 years.

In a letter to Mayor Paul Sander and the board of aldermen, Talley said his resignation is effective Oct. 31. The resignation was accepted Monday night by a 7-0 vote of the board.

Talley said he's stepping down "for personal and family reasons," but asked that he be allowed to stay on as a consultant for the city until age 60 or older to continue his insurance benefits. Talley will work as a consultant to the city.

"I have 38 years of service with the city of Jackson, 24 of them as city administrator," Talley said before Monday's meeting. "It's time to ease up a little bit. I've had a lot of good opportunities to work on some big projects and see the city grow and prosper."

Talley started his municipal career as a street department employee in September 1956. After serving six months active duty in the Army, Talley returned to Jackson and went to work for City Engineer Truman Farrow.

He later transferred to the city power plant as an operator. Two years later, Talley was promoted to assistant general superintendent of the city in March 1965.

In 1970, the city changed over to the city administrator/aldermanic form of government. Talley was appointed superintendent of the utilities department, while Harry Kollman was city administrator.

When Kollman left nearly two years later, Talley was appointed acting city administrator. He was confirmed as city administrator in 1972.

Mayor Paul Sander has appointed a search committee of himself, Aldermen Kevin Sawyer and Jack Piepenbrok and city attorney David Beeson to recommend a replacement for Talley.