Fairview city manager leaves for similar Nolensville job

The Fairview city manager is leaving his position early next year to take on a similar role at another Williamson County municipality. 

Scott Collins, who started as Fairview city manager in August 2016, will start his new job as Nolensville town administrator Jan. 6. His last day working for Fairview is Jan. 3. 

Describing the move as the “most difficult professional decision I’ve ever made,” Collins leaves Fairview after overhauling the city’s finances and staff. 

“We’ve put a lot of work in at the City of Fairview and today the city is quite different than it was three years ago,” Collins said. “It has been a total team effort and it’s been worth it.” 

“Not a single day in that time has felt like work," Collins added. "I cannot speak highly enough or be more appreciative of the people who make up the City of Fairview today. There is still work to do, but we are far removed from what we were.”

In a joint statement, Fairview Mayor John Blade and Vice Mayor Debby Rainey said Collins "has done a great job in Fairview." "His leadership and integrity has helped create a stable and thriving Fairview," the statement continues. "We are all very sorry to see him leave but admire his courage to do what is better for his family."

Some Fairview citizens were upset with Collins and the city's July removal of the decades-old Treehouse Playground in Bowie Nature Park. The park was built in 1998 after volunteers and donations made it possible. 

However, Collins as well as Eileen Brogran, president of the Friends of Bowie Park, agreed it was simply time for the playground to be removed due to safety concerns.

Brogan said she wished Collins "the best of luck." Brogan hopes the Fairview commissioners choose a city manager who "values Bowie Park as the crown jewel of Fairview, and will afford it funding and staffing accordingly."

Moving to Nolensville 

Collins will step into the Nolensville position formerly filled by Ken McLawhon who also left to head another Williamson County municipality, Thompson Station. McLawhon left the job in April. 

When McLawhon left, he was making more than $100,000, according to his personnel file. Collins started at a base pay of just more than $90,000 per year. 

In May, Nolensville Mayor Jimmy Alexander said the town was not in a hurry to find a new city administrator, instead opting to ensure the town found “the right person who can handle small-town growth." 

Collins said his decision to leave Fairview, which has dealt with several lawsuits in recent years, was based on “personal life factors.” Since he and his family moved from Alabama for the Fairview job three years ago, Collins said Williamson County quickly felt like home. 

“Geographically, Nolensville fits well with some family needs that are really beneficial for me," Collins said. “Nolensville has experienced substantial growth over the last several years and is positioned well for the future.” 

In 2010, nearly 6,000 residents lived in Nolensville, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. That number had nearly doubled in 2018 to about 11,000 residents, according to a special census conducted by the town. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau estimate, Fairview has a population of about 9,000 people. 

“Like everywhere else, Nolensville has its own unique challenges but it’s also full of opportunity,” Collins said. “Everyone there has been welcoming and encouraging. I look forward to being a part of Nolensville’s team and working to help manage it into the future.”

Fairview manager: Online criticism 'not accurate,' $7.4M budget hearing, vote next month

Nolensville town administrator leaves for new post in Thompson's Station

Nolensville 'slowly' looking for new town administrator

Fairview’s decades-old Bowie playground removed. What’s next?