Gregg
Trafalgar’s first town manager is ready to steer the town’s growth.
Months after Trafalgar expressed intent to create a town manager position to assist with growth and development, town council members unanimously voted to offer the position to Building Commissioner Bryan Gregg at a special meeting Wednesday night. Town officials have said hiring a town manager is “very much overdue” for Trafalgar.
Responsibilities for the town manager will include overseeing daily operations, implementing policies set by the town council, managing municipal services and other functions. The position will follow state statute for town managers with small adjustments to fit Trafalgar’s needs, Jason Ramey, town council president said previously.
Gregg will gradually add more responsibilities of the town manager onto his current job over the next few weeks and will officially begin his role on Sept. 9. Details are still being worked out on how his appointment will affect his role as building commissioner and positions on various town boards.
For now, Gregg will still take on the responsibilities of building commissioner. If the budget allows, the council would like to separate the position and have the building commissioner position remain as a town employee, Ramey said. Before Gregg, the building commissioner position had been a contract one.
In the meantime, his goals as town manager are to connect with town employees and “thoroughly understand their duties and their needs,” and see where improvements could be made. Gregg is also working on building relationships with other municipalities in Johnson County.
Another priority of Gregg’s is looking at the town’s cost savings by reviewing current contracts and internalizing expenses for work that could be done in-house, he said.
He also hopes to begin working on an updated comprehensive plan for the town and seek grants that will aid in the “betterment and beautification” of Trafalgar. Improving walkability and overall accommodations for families is a priority for him as well, he said.
The town’s utility clerk will also move into a new role as the town manager’s assistant. Gregg hopes to empower and involve the town manager’s assistant to become a certified grant writer and work alongside him as much as possible, he said.
Ultimately, the goal for Gregg is to make Trafalgar an even better place for people to raise their families.
Because Trafalgar is located between two major thoroughfares, there’s a “recipe for absolute success” that Gregg wants to build on to spur growth, he said. Trafalgar is already growing, and Gregg wants to make sure the town manages its growth “responsibly,” he said.
“We have a full-time staff fire department. We have a fully staffed police department. We have a utility department. We have award-winning schools and we have an absolutely wonderful population of people who make up this community,” Gregg said. “And I’m going to find the method that reenergizes Trafalgar. I’m gonna find the pride of Trafalgar.”
Residents can still come to town council members with their concerns, of course, but with the creation of the town manager role, Gregg is here to help full-time.
“This is a role that did not exist before now and this community now has a door to knock on, they have someone to come to,” Gregg said.
The position will be more hands-on than other town manager positions in Johnson County, Ramey said. Town council members are confident that investing in a town manager will save the town money in the long run, he said.
Town officials addressed concerns regarding the candidates considered for the town manager position at the special meeting. They emphasized that all of the candidates were “evaluated objectively based on their skills, experience and vision for the town’s future,” said Jessica Jones, the council’s vice president.
Gregg brings a “unique and deep understanding of our community’s needs and operations,” and his experience with the town will “enable a seamless transition” into the town manager role, she said.
“I am confident that Gregg’s appointment will lead to continued positive growth and effective governance,” Jones said. “The council is excited about the future and believe that with the communities support, our new town manager will be instrumental in achieving our shared goals.”
