By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Hillsboro city administrator Larry Paine made a stunning announcement Tuesday night when he told members of the city council he will retire at the end of June.

Paine choked up several times as he thanked the people who have supported him these past 12 years, including staff, mayors and council members.

“The timing of my announcement has a number of reasons behind it,” Paine said. “First I have been told that when it is time to retire, you will know it. Those people are right, and I know it is time.”

He also said the staff he inherited have been wonderful to work with.

“I told the staff today I didn’t get it done,” Paine said. “We all got it done. There are lots of fingerprints on the bloody knife.”

Paine, who has been battling cancer for two years, said that he’s experiencing a “very good stretch.”

“I’d rather retire at this point and not have to be forced out because of bad health,” Paine said.

Paine said the city’s health insurance cycle of July 1 to June 30 is a factor in the timing as well.

Mayor Lou Thurston said the last 12 years have been the best 12 years for Hillsboro.

“I knew when I ran for mayor the likelihood of having to participate in the selection of a new city administrator was high,” Thurston said.

The city will sign a $10,000 contract with Osenbaugh Consulting, run by Don Osenbaugh, who served as interim city administrator when Paine was first diagnosed, to steer the city through the search for a new administrator.

Council members will meet with Osenbaugh in early February; and the position will be posted four to five weeks.

The Osenbaugh team will review resumes; then after candidates are narrowed down, three or four will be interviewed.

An administrator could be on duty as soon as June 15.

In other business, council members approved an ordinance that allows utility vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, and micro utility trucks to be driven on city streets.

The vehicles must have lights and turn signals, as well as be covered by insurance.

Council members also approved hiring Jesse Campbell as a firefighter.