JACKSON HOLE, WYO – The Jackson Town Council surprised town manager Bob McLaurin yesterday by calling him up and reading him proclamation 18-12.
The resolution officially recognizes what dozens of elected town leaders over the years have come to see firsthand. McLaurin filled the position of town manager like few others have ever done.
McLaurin led the way from 1991 to 1993. He lost his way briefly in Colorado before returning to his senses and the Town of Jackson, serving again as town manager from 2003 to 2018.
Monday’s regular meeting of the town council was McLaurin’s last. His retirement begins officially at the end of this month. Town public works director Larry Pardee takes over June 1.
McLaurin was his customary humble self at the meeting, deflecting praise by saying he owed everything to the elected officials he served.
“It has been my great honor,” he said.
Buckrail joins a long list of those who will miss McLaurin’s steady leadership.
RESOLUTION 18-12
WHEREAS, Town Manager Bob McLaurin has lead the employees of the Town of Jackson, served the elected officials of the Town and the citizens and guests to our community as Town Administrator from 1991 to 1993 and again as Town Manager from 2003 to 2018, and prior to that serving as Assistant Town Administrator and Town Planner; and
WHEREAS, Bob McLaurin has helped facilitate the acquisition, completion, and management of several of the major projects and amenities in the Town of Jackson in the last 30+ years including the Snow King Center, the Karns Meadow purchase, the parking garage, the comprehensive plan in the 1990s and the current update to the comprehensive plan and land development regulations; and
WHEREAS, Bob McLaurin stepped into the provision of employee housing with the initial purchase of homes on the Snow King Maple Way realignment route and the purchase of the Brown Property, and since that time has continued to see the critical importance of providing and continuing to increase Town of Jackson employee rental units, partnering with the Housing Trust for home ownership opportunities for Town employees, and supported creative initiatives to partner with employees for home ownership; and
WHEREAS, Bob McLaurin has transformed the culture of the Town of Jackson organization by introducing, reinforcing, and cementing the concepts of Core Values, Mission and Purpose for the Town of Jackson and by providing the leadership necessary for employees to develop to their highest potential and by leaving a legacy of positive team culture and the establishment of the strongest team of leaders the Town of Jackson has ever developed; and
WHEREAS, Bob McLaurin has successfully represented the Town of Jackson’s interests to the Wyoming State Legislature as well as developed key relationships across the state and further brought the Town into the CAST organization to learn from our counterparts in resort communities on issues facing each of us; and
WHEREAS, Bob McLaurin was a strong advocate of the START Bus System and was instrumental in bringing the transit system into Town and County operations in the 1990s and has continued to support and provide leadership regarding the purchase and acquisition of property that allowed the Town to obtain ownership of the parcel of land where the current transit facility is located; and
WHEREAS, Bob McLaurin’s vision surrounding employee development has always been one of creating future leaders to either move up in our organization or become leaders in another organization and further that Bob always supported employees on issues related to a healthy work/life balance, taking time out of the workday to enjoy the beautiful area we live by skiing a couple of runs on a powder day and always being an example to others in terms of making family a priority; and
WHEREAS, Bob McLaurin’s leadership and management surrounding the Town of Jackson general fund and enterprise fund budgets has placed the Town in a very good position moving into the future; and
WHEREAS, it is people such as Bob McLaurin that do not come around so often, for when they do we are truly fortunate and blessed and Jackson is notably a better place because of Bob McLaurin having served and shaped the strong municipal organization we have today;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Jackson in regular session duly assembled, that the Mayor and Town Council on behalf of all of the employees in the organization, as well as all of the people of the Town of Jackson and Jackson community, shall and do hereby take this opportunity to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation and offer a heartfelt thank you to Bob McLaurin for his many years of dedicated service to the Town of Jackson government and community and his lasting leadership legacy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be maintained in the official records of the Town of Jackson as a permanent record and memorandum of the many years of fine service given by Bob McLaurin.
