Mary Holden, who left her job as Arnold community development director in 2018 for another gig in Florida, will return to Jefferson County for a position with Byrnes Mill.
Holden has been hired to take over as the Byrnes Mill city administrator when Debbie LaVenture retires on Aug. 11.
The Byrnes Mill Board of Alderpersons voted 5-0 during a March 16 closed meeting to hire Holden. Alderperson Bob Prado was not at the meeting.
LaVenture, 62, of Byrnes Mill said Holden will start May 3.
Holden did not return emails or phone calls for comment before the Leader deadline on Monday, April 4.
Holden currently works for Marco Island, Fla., as a senior planner, and her last day on that job is set for April 15, said Casey Lucius, Marco Island assistant city manager.
She said Holden’s current salary is $101,404.50.
Holden will be paid a $90,000 annual salary as the Byrnes Mill city administrator, said LaVenture, who is being paid $64,500 a year.
“It’s an increase, but labor is expensive now,” LaVenture said. “(Holden) is moving back to be closer to her family, and she’s uniquely qualified for this position.”
LaVenture said city attorneys Bob and Allison Sweeney recommended Holden for the Byrnes Mill job.
Mayor Robert Kiczenski said Holden has been working with cities since 1990.
“She comes to us with a depth of experience in different roles within city administration and operational activities,” he said.
Kiczenski said Holden met with the board members before they hired her.
“We were definitely convinced that she was the right person for the job,” he said.
Holden began working for Arnold in 2003, and after she resigned in 2018, she was awarded a $20,000 settlement after filing a discrimination complaint against the city.
LaVenture started working part time for the city in 2005, retired from the city in 2008 and returned in 2011 as city clerk. She was promoted to city administrator in April 2017.
Kiczenski said the city has no plans for cuts to pay Holden’s higher salary.
“We have a little bit of flexibility, and we do have reserves that we can grab from if need be,” he said. “We were very lucky to have Debbie serve for us as long as she did, making the salary she collected.”
Kiczenski said he was a bit surprised to learn of LaVenture’s plans to retire
“We realized that Debbie had been serving us for quite a few years at City Hall in different roles.”
LaVenture said she plans to take care of her parents in retirement.
“I am just ready to slow down in life and enjoy life,” she said. “I am going to miss my Byrnes Mill family.”