The independent consultant that the Vinton City Council will discuss hiring as the city’s interim city coordinator left his last municipal job after the city council there requested his resignation.

Jeffrey Horne, now from Iowa City, was the city coordinator in Clinton from 2009 until November 16, 2012. He had taken several weeks off from work in October and November of that year, citing only “personal reasons,” before the Clinton City Council voted 5-1 to request his resignation on Nov. 12.

Hired in 2009 at $95,000 per year, Horned received six months’ pay and health insurance benefits after leaving his position in Clinton.

Despite this part of Horne’s municipal employment history, Vinton Mayor John Watson said he is in favor of giving Horne a second chance.

The council will discuss Watson’s recommendation to hire Horne as Vinton’s interim city coordinator during tonight’s city council meeting.

“I am not ready to throw him under the bus just yet,” said Watson this morning.

The mayor said he has known people who have been through difficult family situations and understands the temporary impact those situations can have on people and their jobs.

“One of the nice things about small towns like Vinton is our aptitude to give people a second chance,” said Watson, who has made the council aware of Horne’s years of experience as well as his situation in Clinton.

Since leaving Clinton, the father of four boys, has begun a consulting business, offering his services to small towns and non-profit organizations. He previously had served as city administrators in Mitchellville and Eldora.

'Very qualified'

City Council member Dave Redlinger supports hiring Horne.

"The council was made aware of Mr. Horne’s history with the city of Clinton," Redlinger said.  "We discussed the details regarding his employment and subsequent resignation as well.   There were personal issues that lead to an extended leave of absence from his position with the city.   At some point, the Clinton City Council decided that they would prefer his resignation so that they could move forward with a new city administrator. Mr. Horne was not removed from his position for any nefarious or legal reasons.  Mr. Horne is very qualified to fill Andy’s role in the interim and we are confident that he will be able to keep the city functioning properly while the council searches for Andy’s permanent replacement."

The council will be discussing this further at the meeting tonight.

Tonight the council will discuss hiring Horne as well as begin the process of hiring a permanent city coordinator to replace Andy Lent. Lent is leaving Vinton to take a similar position in Carlisle.