Ted Smith’s immediate retirement announced; urges city to increase benefits, pay
By DAVE SCHULTZ
Ted Smith has retired as the city’s building commissioner.
Smith’s retirement was effective at the close of business on Monday, Bluffton Mayor John Whicker said during Tuesday’s meeting of the Bluffton Board of Public Works and Safety.
Smith’s retirement leaves a vacuum in his office, because his responsibilities were many and varied. Karen Nash, who has been serving as his assistant, was present at Tuesday afternoon’s Board of Works meeting. She said she had a request for an inspection, something she did not feel she was able to handle.
The three Board of Works members — Mayor John Whicker, Scott Mentzer, and Roger Thornton — did a little brainstorming to resolve the issue. They would be checking jobseekers’ websites, asking for part-time assistance from nearby communities, and looking for experienced building tradesmen who may be looking for a new type of work.
Smith submitted a succinct letter to the board, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the post for the past seven years. He is the first and thus far the only building commissioner the city has had.
The hours Smith devoted to his job had increased over the years as a part-time job had become, in essence, a full-time one.
“When I started, it was agreed the position was part time,” he said. “I agreed to no benefits — i.e., paid vacation, paid holidays, no insurance, no pension, and that I would provide my own transportation and gas.”
When the Board of Works hires the next building commissioner, Smith indicated that the city should plan to add those benefits.
Smith also noted that the city’s 2022 budget has his position’s pay calculated as a full-time employee.
Whicker also wanted to assure Nash that the board will support her during the transition time in the department.
daves@news-banner.com
