Council caves on threat to Ahrens' job

The council took action on Ahrens' contract off the agenda at the start of the meeting (Photo by Christopher Hamilton).

It was standing room only Tuesday night as the Mount Pleasant City Council met for a meeting that included an annual evaluation of City Manager Mike Ahrens.

The agenda included an item to take action on Ahrens' contract. There were approximately two dozen speakers, all of whom accused some council members of planning to fire Ahrens.

Ahrens exercised his right under the Texas Open Meetings Act to have his evaluation done in open meeting.

It was noted by Council member Erman Hensel that it was Ahrens' anniversary date and time for his annual evaluation. Ahrens, who started as city manager for Mount Pleasant on Jan. 6, 2009, noted at the conclusion of the meeting that, while it was true the evaluation was due, including the action item on his contract "meant something".

Council member Dr. Sue Hawkins said she was amazed at the vast outpouring of support for Ahrens at the meeting, "I've never seen anything like this before."

Tim Dale said that while he and the city manager was occasionally disagree on an issue, that's to be expected, and overall he was satisfied with his performance.

Mayor Pro Tem Robert Nance said he's seen perhaps ten or eleven city managers in the many years he has served on the city council, and Ahrens is the best one the city has ever had.

"As far as I'm concerned, he can leave when he wants to," said Nance.

Mayor Paul Meriwether said that, five years ago when long-time Mayor Jerry Boatner decided to retire, and he was asked to run for mayor, he has his doubts, but decided he would because the city has such a good and supportive city manager.

"I wouldn't be mayor today if it wasn't for Mike Ahrens," said Meriwether.

Hensel said his main concern about Ahrens was a lack of communication.

David Huffman said he and Ahrens have clashed over budget priorities in the past, and he was unhappy that the budgets prepared by Ahrens did not plan for long-range anticipated expenses.

"We need to budget now for the future," he said.

Mayor Meriwether said at the start of the meeting that it was decided to take the action item on Ahrens' contract off the agenda.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, which lasted over an hour,some speakers accused Councilman Hensel of orchestrating the attempt to oust Ahrens, and getting the contract action on the agenda after getting another two council members to go along with him.

At least one council member changed his mind as a result of public pressure, which led to the plan collapsing.

Most department heads for the city spoke in strong support of Ahrens, including Police Chief Wayne Isbell, Fire Chief Larry McRae, and Director of Community Services Jacob Hatfield.

Many of the speakers noted that Ahrens had a special evaluation done in September after a long-time city employee said she was forced to resign, and they thought the matter was concluded. They accused some council members of plotting against Ahrens because "he wouldn't do what he was told."

Members of the public who spoke included Rick Rajotte and Jack Anderson, who both said they are running for city council this spring; Anderson was unsuccessful running against Hensel last year, but concluded by saying "Jack is back!"