Barling’s executive given two-week no-pay layoff

Barling’s city administrator has been suspended for two weeks without pay for failing to immediately report his arrest in Oklahoma last year on a charge of driving under the influence.

Barling city directors and the mayor announced the suspension of Mike Tanner after an executive session Tuesday. Tanner has been city administrator for Barling since 2013.

The release said Tanner was driving his personal vehicle March 2, 2015, when he was arrested in LeFlore County, Okla., under suspicion of driving under the influence, transporting a loaded firearm and transporting a loaded firearm while under the influence.

Tanner pleaded no contest in court in LeFlore County to driving under the influence and transporting a loaded firearm, the release said. The charge of transporting a loaded firearm while under the influence was dismissed.

The directors also released a statement from Tanner. It was addressed to the citizens of Barling, Mayor Jerry Barling and the board of directors.

“I accept this disciplinary action and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused,” the statement read. “I am accountable for my professional and personal life as any public official should be. The city of Barling will continue to grow and I am looking forward to being a part of Barling’s future.”