N ews
Board hires
Cantrell as city manager
On Thursday, the Parsons City Commission agreed to hire Jeff Cantrell as city manager. He replaces Debbie Lamb who retired in March.
Cantrell, who was city manager in Chanute for five years, will begin in Parsons on May 1.
The commission agreed to a three-year contract for Cantrell and will pay him $130,000 a year as a base salary, but he also will receive cost-of-living adjustments and bonus pay if it’s granted to other full-time employees. The city will also provide medical, dental and prescription coverage using the same policies provided to other full-time employees.
Cantrell said he applied for the city manager position because he sees Parsons as being undersold as a community in Southeast Kansas.
Once in the job, he said he plans on focusing on housing and jobs.
See CITY, Page 3.
New Parsons City Manager Jeff Cantrell will start work on May 1.
He wants to find an aord - able way to increase the qual - ity of the housing stock, from new construction to reinvest - ment in existing homes.
Cantrell said the housing issue needs to be resolved for Parsons.
As far as job creation, he said he will pursue large and small companies alike. "There's a lot of businesses out there that might bring 30 people on board, or 40 people, and those are just as import - ant to me as ones that bring 250," Cantrell said.
He said he was impressed by the experience of depart - ment heads in the city and the respect they showed for one another.
Cantrell said his manage - ment style is to support city employees' ability to do their job without being "micro - managed." "I'm better known as a team builder." He visited Parsons before applying and talked with cit - izens, who appeared friendly, outgoing and eager to engage in conversation. He said in that way Parsons reminds him of his hometown of Pe - culiar, Missouri. Cantrell said he still sees opportunities for Parsons through federal grants.
"But I think we're going to have to be very succinct in how we apply for some of those. I don't think this time it'll be just free money. I think there will be some real qualifiers on how that money is to be spent. I think our job will be to find those niches in those specific areas where we can spin Parsons' story into being a viable recipient of federal tax dollars in support of those interests," he said.
Cantrell served as city man - ager for two years in Hutchin - son, five years in Chanute and seven years as city adminis - trator in Louisburg. He also served in public positions in Leawood and Mission.
He earned a bachelor of science degree in aviation management from Central Missouri State University and a master of public admin - istration from the University of Kansas in 2006.
