HUMBOLDT — City Administrator Larry Tucker resigned at a special meeting of the Humboldt City Council Tuesday night. He will become Butler, Mo., city administrator on May 27.
His last day at Humboldt will be May 25.
“I’ve enjoyed my time here (seven years) and I wish you and Humboldt all the best,” Tucker told council members. They also passed along “job well done” accolades.
Tucker, 65, told the Register his family had a large role in his decision to take the Butler position.
“I have two daughters, a son and five grandchildren living in Overland Park and Kansas City, Mo.,” he said, with emphasis on the grandchildren.
Mayor Nobby Davis told the Register a search for Tucker’s replacement would begin immediately.
If no one is on board by the time Tucker leaves, Davis said he and City Clerk Jean Flores would look after day-to-day operations. Davis runs Opie’s Family Restaurant in Chanute.
During his tenure, Tucker was instrumental in several improvements, including the new Neosho River Park.
Housing was an emphasis for Tucker. A new senior housing complex was built at the north edge of town and a grant recently was obtained to help with upgrade of rental properties.
The swimming pool was expanded and improved and a walking trail with exercise equipment was constructed between the pool and ball fields at the southeast corner of town, about a quarter mile distant.
The hallmark bandstand in the downtown square was refurbished and won a place on the National Register of Historic Places and several citizen groups were formed to encourage development and increase interest in the community. Several infrastructure upgrades also occurred, but enabling general obligation bonds for what would have been a significant rebuild of streets failed to win voter approval.
PRIOR to Tucker’s announcement, council members approved a new diesel generator and transfer switch for the wastewater treatment plant.
All told, cost will be $50,238.50 for equipment, installation and engineering by BG Consultants, Lawrence.
The generator will come into play only if Westar power to the plant is down, which seldom occurs. However, it is required by the city’s permitting agency, Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The new generator was deemed a necessary when the one in place, which will be sold, was considered unreliable by KDHE.
Council members looked at a generator operated by natural gas. It would have cost about $11,500 more and, while natural gas is a cheaper fuel, engineers estimated it would take 15 years to recover the difference since the generator runs only in periodic tests and not as the plant’s source of power.
They agreed other uses for money saved with the diesel unit could be put to good use elsewhere in Humboldt.
