Last night’s Richmond City commission meeting ended on a contentious note, as the negotiation for an advertised salary for a new city manager was discussed, but not resolved. Mayor Jim Barnes and commissioner Jim Newby exchanged words over the proposed salary, which the mayor said could not exceed $99,800. It had been discussed at a previous meeting that $125,000 would be a minimum starting position for the salary, but the mayor said he was not present for that decision.
The search for the new manager was also questioned, to which Mayor Barnes said he wanted to take his time with the decision as Richard Thomas had agreed to stay in the position until a replacement was found.
The meeting was quickly adjourned before any decision was made on the matter.
