Council appoints Chase T. Kirby as law director; reappoints Bill Coker and removes Clyde Atkins from planning board

The South Lebanon City Council on May 15 approved multiple personnel actions. Emergency Resolution 2025-18 appointed Chase T. Kirby as the city’s law director, establishing compensation effective June 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026. Kirby introduced himself at the meeting and said he has worked in the area, has been a lawyer about five years, and previously filled in as prosecutor in the mayor’s court.

Separately, the mayor recommended reappointing Bill Coker to the Civil Service Commission; council approved his reappointment by roll-call vote. The council also voted to remove Clyde Atkins from the Planning and Zoning Board after five consecutive absences. The mayor said Atkins had taken an oath of office but had failed to fulfill the duties of that office due to absences; the removal will create a vacancy the mayor and staff expect to fill promptly.

All appointments and removals were carried by roll call during the May 15 meeting. Council directed the mayor and staff to consider candidates and bring a nomination for the planning-and-zoning vacancy to a future meeting.