Village manager job offered to Caro's Morgan

The Milford Village Council at its Monday, Sept. 17 meeting approved the extension of an offer to Brent Morgan, the city manager for Caro, Mich., to become Milford’s new village manager.

“They like his experience and the fact that he is willing to make Milford his home,” said Deborah Frazer, the village’s clerk and interim manager.

The offer was expected to be made as early as yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 18, Frazer said, adding that it includes an annual salary of $78,000, a $3,000 vehicle allowance and three weeks vacation in his first year, with vacation time accruing after that period.

Morgan would also be responsible for 20 percent of his health care insurance premiums and would contribute 4 percent of his salary to a 401K plan with a 3 percent match by the village.

Frazer added that Morgan would also be offered relocation and temporary housing reimbursement.

“The offer is currently being made through our consultant (Michigan Municipal League) and we could potentially fill the position within 30 days,” Frazer said.

Reached by phone, Morgan said that he could not comment on the offer.

Morgan was one of four finalists interviewed for the village manager position on Saturday, Sept. 8, along with Franklin Peterson, city manager of Springfield, Mich., a suburb of Battle Creek; Milford Downtown Development Authority Director Ann Barnette; and Freemont, Mich. City Manager Bryan Gruesbeck.

If Morgan accepts the offer, he will replace Arthur Shufflebarger, who passed away on June 11 at his residence on Duke Street at the age of 60 due to natural causes after serving as the village manager since 1990.

Morgan has served as the city manager in Caro since taking the position in May 2010 after previously being employed by Owosso as its assistant city manager.

He also previously interviewed for the city manager position in Eaton Rapids in 2010 prior to taking over in Caro, which is located east of Saginaw.