Collierville Fire Chief John Selberg will not be back with the town’s fire department.
Selberg has made the decision to retire from his position effective immediately, according to a news release from the Town of Collierville on Aug. 21.
“We understand there have been questions raised in the community about his employment status, but it is not customary or appropriate in either the public or private sector to discuss details related to personnel matters,” Town Collierville said in a statement. “Chief Selberg has served the Town of Collierville honorably. We are grateful for his dedicated service and wish him well.”
The Collierville Fire Department
will continue to operate under the direction of acting Chief Mark Carter.
Selberg came under fire after being placed on paid administrative leave Aug. 10 due to a “personnel matter” and ultimately "insubordination," according to the Town of Collierville.
Selberg said he was "caught completely off guard" when he was placed on administrative leave and concerns were raised about his job performance, according to a response letter addressed to city administrator Molly Mehner.
Mehner later said in a statement letter the leave was a result of "insubordination" by Selberg, stemming from a confrontation and lack of progress in meeting city goals.
Selberg wrote the response letter to Mehner Aug. 7, which was obtained by The Commercial Appeal through an open records request, explaining his surprise at the board's dissatisfaction in the direction of the fire department under his leadership.
Throughout the letter, Selberg referenced a July 31 meeting between Meher and him, and outlined his responses to her concerns about various issues within the department ranging from morale to daily operations.
In the letter, Selberg said he hoped Mehner would reconsider going in a "different direction" regarding his position as fire chief.
Mehner released a letter on Aug. 19, which the Commercial Appeal obtained, that was to be read at the ultimately postponed Aug. 14 special-called meeting about Selberg's "employment status."
Mehner wanted to make clear Selberg's employment issue is "not a personal issue" between her and Selberg, but stems from a departmental and operational concern.
“What has brought us to this point is a fundamental lack of understanding and professionalism that challenges the very structure of town government,” Mehner said. “I was hired by the BMA to oversee the daily operations of the Town of Collierville.”
Under the Town of Collierville’s charter, the town administrator is charged with the day-to-day administration of the town, including personnel matters. Article V, Section 5.02, states the town administrator's array of duties, including administration of personnel policies and the selection and discipline of personnel, Mehner cites in her letter.
“It is my responsibility to ensure the work of our department directors aligns with the goals of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, and that we are providing world class customer service,” Mehner said in the letter. “If there are issues in a particular department, it is my responsibility to ensure the course is corrected, and we get back on track. I would be derelict in my duties if I did not hold directors accountable.”
Selberg in his Aug. 7 letter asked Mehner and the board to give him more time to address myriad issues outlined by Mehner.
The Collierville Board of Aldermen will be in charge of appointing the next fire chief.
Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Corey.Davis@commercialappeal.com or 901-293-1610.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Collierville Fire Chief Selberg resigns after being placed on leave
