Arnold Begins Search for New City Administrator

Robert Shockey has been working as interim city administrator since June 28, following the abrupt resignation of Matt Unrein.

But since Shockey also works as the city's police chief, his appointment to interim city administrator must be a temporary one, said Mayor Ron Counts during a city council work session on Sept. 13.

“The fact is, Mr. Shockey can’t be eligible for that position. He can’t hold both police chief and administrator, not as a class three municipality,” Counts said.

Shockey, who was in charge of a committee that hired the last city administrator four years ago, will perform the same duty during a new search process.

He asked for volunteers to form a subcommittee of council members and department heads to sort through applications and narrow the field of candidates to four or five of the best applicants.

Council members will then help interview candidates. Shockey said it would take about 30 days to sort through applicants, then as much as six months to select the final candidate.  

“It’s a very important process. It’s time consuming,” Shockey said.

Free trash pickup for mobile homes

During the work session, the council also decided to take a closer look at giving trash rebates to Arnold residents who live in mobile homes.

Currently the city is not offering free trash pickup to mobile homes because the owner of the trailer court—not the individual resident—pays for trash pickup.

The council recently voted to waive fees for trash service to homeowners in the city. The city doesn't offer free trash service to business owners in the city.

Ward 3 Councilman Paul Freese said all of the city’s residents should receive the same benefits, whether they live in houses, mobile homes or apartment complexes.

The council also decided to examine licenses for food trucks and mobile massage therapists in a future council meeting.