On Tuesday, March 5 the Barling Board of Directors met in a special meeting. Shortly after convening at 5:30 p.m., the directors moved to go into executive session.
Moments later the board members voted unanimously to terminate Mike Tanner, City Administrator, effective immediately. Tanner had been on a lengthy suspension following a alleged verbal altercation with another city employee.
Barling Police Chief Jerry Foley said Tanner reportedly lost his temper, and “went off on a city worker.” The police department responded, but upon investigation, found that there was no criminal action that had taken place.
Tanner has severed as city administrator since 2013.