A routine hire for a public works employee came after a split vote that followed much discussion and a dust up between the Summit’s town superintendent and a councilman Thursday night.
The board voted 2-1 to hire Jimmie Summerville as a public works employee at the request of Town Superintendent Tim Baylor. Councilman Marcus Pittman and Chris Daniels voted in favor, while Councilman Julius Nash opposed. Councilman Joe Lewis was serving as mayor pro tem in the absence of Mayor Percy Robinson and could not vote.
The discussion about the hire began when Daniels said he believed the position should come with a detailed job description but ended with accusations of favoritism.
Nash asked Baylor if Summerville worked with him on projects outside the scope of Baylor’s employment with the town and Baylor acknowledged that he had.
Nash said the council should consider advertising for the position.
“We may have somebody that’s better qualified than Mr. Summerville to apply for the job. We can’t hand-pick people. We’ve got to be open. We’ve got to do things the right way,” Nash said.
Nash then asked Baylor about those side jobs and whether he had asked for permission from the town to do work, saying the employee handbook requires him to do so.
“I’m not going to answer that, Mr. Nash,” Baylor said.
Nash asked if it were legal to hire Summerville without advertising for the position.
“I think that’s completely above-board, legit, legal,” board attorney Ben Gilbert said.
The town council routinely hires public works and police positions, not all of which come with prior advertising.
In addition to Nash’s concerns about favoritism, councilmen also wanted more information about a job description for Summerville, a former public works employee with the town.
“In our public works department, the biggest thing we’re looking for is direction — getting a department where we’re getting things done, employees are enthused, employees are safe,” he said. “I think when we hire a new employee that we need to set them up for success once we hire them.”
Nash said the job description should come before the vote to hire Summerville.
Baylor asked who would be responsible for making the job description and Nash said Baylor would. Baylor said he was under the impression the council wanted to create the job description.
“I’ll get with you all, we’ll sit down, we’ll make up a job description and we’ll go from there,” Baylor said.
Nash suggested Baylor reach out to neighboring municipalities and see what they use, then the council can hold a special meeting to vote on the hire.
Councilmen Joe Lewis and Marcus Pittman suggested moving on with the hire.
“If Mr. Baylor feels like her needs Mr. Summerville, then I’m all for it,” Pittman said.
“The superintendent is in need of personnel,” Lewis said.
Baylor noted that COVID has ripped through his department’s ranks and he hasn’t been at full staff in months.
Additionally, he said he needs someone who can help lead the department.
“Really, I need somebody to step up and be a leader, and I’m not getting that now, and that’s mainly what I’m looking for,” Baylor said. “You’re not going to have to push a true leader. A true leader is going to step and do something without being told.”
