Howell resigns post as Fremont administrator

“I am very grateful to have served the town of Fremont,” Howell said in a prepared statement. “My decision is a personal decision and is based upon my desire to pursue other opportunities.

“The town of Fremont has an excellent and capable staff, from administration to public works to the police and fire departments. I have enjoyed working with the staff in my role and wish them all the best.”

Howell has been town administrator for two years, since March 22, 2021, when he started at an annual salary of $50,000, according to town personnel records. His current annual salary is $57,750.

“We hate to see Mr. Howell leave us,” said Mayor Darron Flowers. “We’re very pleased with the direction he was taking the town.”

Flowers said the town board will set up a process to review and screen applicants for the town administrator post.

Town officials are advertising the job, which is listed on the N.C. League of Municipalities website, with a closing date of April 17.

Flowers said the board wanted to be able to continue with daily business operations, which led to the decision to hire Spivey as interim town administrator.

“We felt there was a need for someone to carry on with the decisions that need to be made,” Flowers said. “We felt Mr. Spivey was suitable for the position, especially during budget time.”

Spivey said he accepted the interim post out of an interest in helping the town remain on solid footing.

“It’s totally on an interim basis,” Spivey said. “I’m not looking to do it full time.

“I took it because I didn’t want the town to lose the momentum and continuity we’ve built so far in making the town better.”

Spivey served in the U.S. Air Force 25 years and retired at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

He received a bachelor’s degree in business management and human resource management from the University of Mount Olive in 2014 and an associate degree in accounting from Wayne Community College in 2017.

He was administrator for Fremont’s Small Town Economic Prosperity, STEP, grant for two years, from 2013 to 2015.

Spivey was appointed to the Fremont Board of Aldermen, representing District 2, in May 2020 following the death of former alderman Leon Mooring.

Spivey, who will work until a town administrator is hired, will be paid at “a mutually agreeable amount,” which has yet to be determined, meeting minutes show.