MONROE - With the loss of a second accounting manager in five years, the city Salary and Finance Committee took steps Monday to update the job description and will be advertising the position at an annual salary higher than previously offered, $45,000 to $50,000.
"From what I'm hearing, it's not a position we can absorb, and you need specialized training to do it," said Charles Koch, committee chairman.
Committee members considered options of combining some positions in the financial department, but Administrator Phil Rath and Comptroller/Treasurer Cathy Maurer explained that the four-person staff has already absorbed several duties of other positions in recent years, the latest being accounting for the water utility department.
"The position is really already two positions in one," Maurer said.
Maurer said modern technology has helped staff absorb extra duties, but further combining positions that have distinct differences in training and duties was not advisable. She recommended hiring an accountant with a four-year degree for the position.
Casey Bradley held the position for almost two years, leaving Sept. 19, 2008. Suzie Shaw, who was hired for the position in October of that year is leaving Nov. 18.
Shaw's new accounting position at a private company will pay her more than the city does now, but benefits are a "toss-up," she told the committee.
"I would recommend that you consider paying the next person a tad more to keep them," she said.
Rath said the market rate of pay for accountants ranges from mid-$40,000 to about $60,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Bradley left the position at abut $45,000; Shaw is leaving the position at about $43,000, but had no experience when the city hired her at $41,500.
The committee voted 3-1 to advertise the position at $45,000 to $50,000. Tyler Schultz voted against the measure.
The new job description updates specifically the core requirements of the job, as well as other duties absorbed over the past five years. The description was last updated in 2006.
Because Shaw is leaving at a time when the city's end-of-year reports are coming due, the committee unanimously voted to offer to pay Shaw $26 per hour for up to six hours per week until the end of January to help the finance department.
"From what I'm hearing, it's not a position we can absorb, and you need specialized training to do it," said Charles Koch, committee chairman.
Committee members considered options of combining some positions in the financial department, but Administrator Phil Rath and Comptroller/Treasurer Cathy Maurer explained that the four-person staff has already absorbed several duties of other positions in recent years, the latest being accounting for the water utility department.
"The position is really already two positions in one," Maurer said.
Maurer said modern technology has helped staff absorb extra duties, but further combining positions that have distinct differences in training and duties was not advisable. She recommended hiring an accountant with a four-year degree for the position.
Casey Bradley held the position for almost two years, leaving Sept. 19, 2008. Suzie Shaw, who was hired for the position in October of that year is leaving Nov. 18.
Shaw's new accounting position at a private company will pay her more than the city does now, but benefits are a "toss-up," she told the committee.
"I would recommend that you consider paying the next person a tad more to keep them," she said.
Rath said the market rate of pay for accountants ranges from mid-$40,000 to about $60,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Bradley left the position at abut $45,000; Shaw is leaving the position at about $43,000, but had no experience when the city hired her at $41,500.
The committee voted 3-1 to advertise the position at $45,000 to $50,000. Tyler Schultz voted against the measure.
The new job description updates specifically the core requirements of the job, as well as other duties absorbed over the past five years. The description was last updated in 2006.
Because Shaw is leaving at a time when the city's end-of-year reports are coming due, the committee unanimously voted to offer to pay Shaw $26 per hour for up to six hours per week until the end of January to help the finance department.