West Concord Council accepts Hanson resignation

West Concord’s City Council last week officially accepted the resignation of City Administrator Kay Hanson. Council members also received the 2015 auditor’s report that showed that the Municipal Liquor Store again finished the year with negative numbers.
Mayor Jeffrey McCool also told council members that the city’s EDA had also been informed that an individual had expressed an interest in buying the former hardware store building at 207 Main St.
Hansen’s resignation is effective Friday, April 5. She said in her resignation letter “it was a difficult decision to make, but was ultimately best for my family.”
She has accepted a position as city administrator in Holstein, Iowa.
“I’d like to thank Kay for her dedication and hard work,” McCool said. “The resignation leaves a huge void.”
Hanson said she would work closely with the city Personnel Committee in the next weeks to take the necessary steps to post the position and help with a smooth transition.
Several months ago Hanson was also given the responsibilities of liquor store manager in addition to her city administrator duties. That change came about when the City Council reorganized the operation of the liquor store that has seen losses in recent years.
At last week’s meeting auditor Michael Burkhardt briefed the Council on the 2015 audit that showed that while city is in good financial condition, the Liquor Store showed a net loss of more than $3,000 for 2015.
When the Liquor Store operations were reorganized late last year council members said they would consider the future of the operation at the conclusion of the first quarter 2016.
With the first quarter ending March 31, the council asked the auditing firm to compile the financial information and put it together and do an analytical review of the operation although it would not be a full audit. Burkhardt estimated the review would cost between $1,000 and $1,500.
McCool also told the council that a potential buyer has come forth for the hardware store building and contacted the EDA. The proposal from the potential buyer is still in the early stages, McCool said, and the EDA has asked for some clarifications.
The Council did approve a purchase agreement between Ron Meyer and the city for a lot in the Mathias Subdivision. Meyer is interested in building a spec home on the lot, McCool said.
Council members also gave their approval to an Eagle Scout project proposed by John Zeller Jr.