Tammy Whitney out as Marble Hill city administrator

MARBLE HILL, Mo. ­-- City administrator Tammy Whitney is no longer employed by the city of Marble Hill.

Mayor Nick Hendricks confirmed Monday that the board of aldermen made the decision to dismiss Whitney on Thursday night after a 90-minute special executive session.

The board did not announce the decision at that time because Whitney was not present and had not yet been advised of her dismissal. Under the Sunshine Law, decisions made in closed session may be held from the public up to 72 hours.

Whitney began her duties first as city administrative assistant Feb. 1, 2012. She had been selected from three candidates who were among nine individuals who applied for the job. She was hired to replace former administrative assistant Gary Shrum, who resigned after 30 years. She was promoted to city administrator after about a year because the city administrator's job description calls for a college degree, which she has and Shrum did not have. She previously was employed as a community coordinator at the Bollinger County Library.

Her association with the board of aldermen has long been a contentious one. One of the first disputes she had with the board was early in her career when she raised the salaries of city maintenance and street employees without first bringing it before the board for approval. At the time, Whitney said there was money in the budget to cover the raises and the employees hadn't had a raise in a long time, and she believed she had the authority to give the raises.

More recently, Whitney and Alderman Kenneth Trentham sparred over procedures for seeking bids and over giving Christmas bonuses to city employees.

Hendricks said Monday that the decision to dismiss Whitney "happened rather fast," but he declined to say what prompted the action. Under Missouri law, an employer is not obligated to give a reason for dismissal of an employee.

Whitney was notified Friday of the board's decision. Monday morning, Whitney said by email, "Friday morning was the first time in two years I felt truly happy and much lighter! I will look for a job that is more suitable for myself and my family."

Until a new city administrator can be found, Hendricks said he will assume most of Whitney's administrative responsibilities, "and the aldermen will do what they can when they can."

He said he and the board have not yet had a chance to discuss their next steps.

Pertinent address:

Marble Hill, MO