Bob Barnhill serves as the City Administrator for Perry, a role that places him at the center of the city's administrative and legislative processes. As a key member of the city staff, Barnhill frequently appears before the City Council to provide essential reports, present legislative proposals, and offer context on municipal developments that affect the community of 5,555 residents.
During a meeting held on February 13, 2025, Barnhill presented data regarding the usage of the city's event center throughout 2024. He reported that the facility saw 48 paid reservations and 21 free events, noting that weddings were the most frequent type of event held at the location. He further noted that the gross revenue for the event center in 2024 totaled $25,000 and highlighted that only three non-resident reservations were made at the higher rate, which indicated strong usage by the local community. During the same presentation, Barnhill provided financial information regarding the city hall building, noting that lease revenues from the two commercial spaces in the building are increasing year over year. He explained that for the upcoming fiscal year, more than half of the bond payment for the building would be covered by these lease revenues; when combined with event space revenue, 62% of the bond payment would be covered.
Barnhill's responsibilities also include guiding the Council through complex zoning and ordinance discussions. On October 24, 2024, he presented background information on Ordinance 24-J, which concerned the Bear River Landing Apartments project. He explained the historical context of the project, noting that while apartments were originally approved, permitted uses were later removed to lock in growth. He detailed how the ordinance would amend the zoning map to permit units to be built in the IC zone on the northern side of the property, a move that followed a unanimous recommendation from the Planning Commission.
In other administrative capacities, Barnhill assists the Council in evaluating personnel matters. During a meeting on June 12, 2025, he provided testimony regarding the reappointment of Stephen Moss to the Planning Commission, noting that Mr. Moss had served for four years and had done a great job. He also presented tax rate reports prepared by the Finance Director to help the Council decide between adopting a certified tax rate or maintaining the current rate. Additionally, on May 22, 2025, Barnhill was present as city staff to discuss the fiscal year 2025-2026 budgets, which included various enterprise funds for water, garbage, storm drain, and sewer services. Through these diverse duties, Barnhill serves as a primary point of contact for the Council regarding the city's financial health, facility management, and regulatory framework.
What this means for Perry
For Perry residents, Barnhill's role ensures that city operations are managed with detailed data and historical context. His reports on facility usage and zoning provide the City Council with the information necessary to make decisions regarding local revenue, community spaces, and the long-term growth and development of the city's residential and commercial areas.
