“Larry set out the objectives when he was hired to deeply understand our departments, how our township works, he wanted to jump start our economic development and outreach to companies, that might be interested in coming to and investing in our township,” Becker said. “And he has done all those things and more. He has been a great addition to our township and I look forward to seeing what he can do in the future.”
The raise range for non-union employees is 0-4 percent this year. Trustee Board President Mark Welch told the Journal-News previously “you’re not the top after the first year” about the 3 percent raise but said Burks “meets or exceeds” all the trustees’ expectations.
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“I believe Larry has really impacted the township and the township culture. By empowering staff to do their jobs with a hands-off management style which I believe fosters trust and brings out the best in people,” Welch said before voting on the raise.
“Honestly Larry, your energy and your enthusiasm to jump into discussions, to understand opportunities, to explore new ideas and create new solutions is enviable.”
Prior to taking the post, Burks was an assistant city manager of Bellevue, Neb. He replaced former West Chester Administrator Judi Boyko who resigned in August 2017 after a 13-year career as West Chester’s administrator. Boyko went to Hamilton County as the assistant county administrator and was recently hired as the Butler County administrator.
Burks said he inherited an excellent staff, which allows him to focus on his job and the trustees’ vision. He said moving his family — wife and two young sons — here was the best thing he could have done.
“I couldn’t have made a better decision,” Burks said. “Being here is very fulfilling, the team I have to work with are very skilled professionals and it allows me to do the things the trustees expect me to do.”
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