Siloam Springs is in search of a new city administrator to take over for David Cameron, who resigned Thursday during a special session.
Cameron has been the city administrator since October 2004.
The Board of Directors approved his resignation effective Dec. 31 with a 5-0 vote. Directors Dennis Brown and Brad Burns were absent.
The extended date will allow the city to seek a new administrator without the need of an interim administrator.
"Thank you for a job well done," said director Judy Nation.
Prior to his resignation, Cameron had been on medical leave from the city for 40 days. He returned to work on Aug. 28, with approval from his attending physician, he said.
"I couldn't just sit on FMLA and collect money and then leave -- it's ethically wrong," Cameron said in a meeting with the Herald-Leader. "I made the decision, I went to my doctor and I knew I was ready."
His choice to resign was a hard one, he said, but it was important to invite fresh ideas into the city under new leadership.
"I don't want to live with regret and I needed to let go and let someone else have the opportunity to lead the city -- there are still more opportunities out there and more work to be done," Cameron said.
While on leave, Cameron had time to reflect on his career and his family, which, he said, was a major factor in his resignation.
"I love what I do, but this job cannot be my identity," he said. "You sacrifice a lot to sit in this seat and I have a wife and kids who need a husband and a dad -- I have to do what's best for the city, my health and my family."
During the special session, Mayor John Turner addressed the board and the residents who were in attendance.
"I want you all to know that there was not any pressure from the board and this was solely his decision," Turner said.
While the board did not pressure Cameron to resign it did have some influence on his decision, he said in a meeting with the Herald-Leader.
"For me, I like to deal with things differently versus how the new board deals with things," Cameron said. "Board members have specific objectives, and I didn't want it to be difficult between me and the board or me and the community."
"I appreciate the Board of Directors and those who serve -- people don't understand the public service that goes into it," Cameron said during the special session.
He said that in spite of everything, he is proud of what he and the board have accomplished throughout his tenure.
Cameron said the construction of the new hospital; the 2005 increase in fair wages for city staff; a new wastewater treatment plant; enhancements to Sager Creek; re-establishing relationships within the public schools and the city's partnership with John Brown University, Main Street Siloam Springs, and the Arkansas Highway Transportation Department; as well as the partnerships with the Walton Family Foundation and Arvest Bank for trails and improvements to the Illinois River at Fisher Ford as some of the city's best work under his leadership.
"You have had many accomplishments in your tenure and you will be missed," director Carol Smiley said.
Cameron has worked for the city for 15 years. He started in 1999 as the wastewater superintendent. He was promoted in 2000 as the water/wastewater director and in 2003 he was named the public works director.
"The things I will miss the most is my relationships with staff and all the businesses we work with," he said.
"I've always been told that a good leader knows when it's time to go," Cameron said. "And it's vital (to the city) to get a fresh vision."
General News on 08/31/2014