Keith Barker, the first person to serve as Clarkston’s city manager, will retire at the end of the year.
The announcement was made during a Clarkston City Council work session on Tuesday night, according to a press release. Barker was hired in 2011 and has a total of 38 years of experience in public service.
“I have been very fortunate to have worked with a long list of dedicated elected officials throughout my career, all of which have given their time to make their communities better and to serve their constituents,” he said during his remarks, according to the release. “I would especially like to thank the many hard working and capable public employees that I have had the pleasure to work alongside throughout my career in public service.”
Mayor Ted Terry praised Barker for turning the city around after a transition to a council-manager form of government.
“He has brought vigorous professionalism to our operations, fiscal sustainability to the budget, and deployed innovative strategies that have elevated our communities to new heights,” Terry said in a statement.
The city plans to hire a search firm to aide with the recruitment process for Barker’s successor. The hope is for a decision to be made by December.
