Published: July 17, 2008 11:16 pm            

Dalton administrator Sanders resigns

For the first time in 19 years, the city of Dalton is without a city administrator.

City administrator Butch Sanders resigned Thursday afternoon, effective immediately, in a letter to the City Council.

In the letter, Sanders said he was leaving “to work through a difficult personal situation as well as to pursue a new start in my career path.”

Sanders declined to speak about the matter Thursday evening, saying he would let the letter speak for itself.

Mayor David Pennington said he has spoken to council members and they have agreed to accept the resignation. But he said they may take a formal vote at their meeting Monday if their attorney says it’s necessary.

“I’m always surprised by a resignation,” Pennington said when asked if he had expected Sanders’ resignation.

Council member Charlie Bethel said he had not had a chance to speak to Sanders Thursday afternoon.

“Our relationship goes back to before my service on the council. I guess to my grade school days. On occasion, he has said to me that whenever he has felt like it was time, he would tender his resignation and move on. After 19 years service to the city, he has decided now is that time,” Bethel said.

“None of us anticipated the timing of the resignation,” Bethel said. “But we wish Butch and his family well.”

Bethel said he didn’t think there were any problems with the council and Sanders working together.

Council members said they expect to discuss the appointment of an interim administrator on Monday.

The city is currently drafting its 2009 budget. Council members have expressed a desire to adopt the budget this fall, rather than in December as has been the practice.

Council members said they did not expect Sanders’ resignation to have a major impact on those plans.

“The mayor has been very personally involved in the budget. I’d say as much as Butch has. And between him and (finance director Cindy Jackson) I don’t see where anything is going to be lost in the budgeting process,” said council member Dick Lowrey.

Council member George Sadosuk said the city’s department heads will also play a larger role in the budget process because of the resignation.

“We’ve got good department heads, and they’ll respond to the challenge,” Sadosuk said.

        

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