MONROE - With its city's water and wastewater utilities director leaving June 1, the Salary and Personnel Committee opted Monday to re-fill the vacant director of public works position, leaving supervisors or lead operators in charge of day-to-day operations of the city's five public works departments.
The decision "helps all the way down the line," said Charles Schuringa, committee chairman.
Kelly Finkenbinder, Monroe's last director of public works, retired in February 2011 after 30 years of service. City administrator Phil Rath and other city department heads have since picked up the duties of that position, without compensation for the additional responsibilities and workload.
"The kicker is, they were promised but never got it," Schuringa said.
Committee member Brooke Bauman noted having a public works director might be more cost effective, after Rath indicated the annual salary for that position would be between $62,000 and $91,000, while the salary for a water-wastewater utilities director would be between $58,000 and $86,000.
George Thompson, the current utilities director, earns an annual salary of $85,000. Thompson was moved to utilities director last fall, while remaining as water treatment plant supervisor, when the city merged the utilities' administrations. Mike Kennison remained as supervisor of the water department.
By hiring a director of public works, the committee found no need to fill the utilities director position.
Hiring a director of public works "gets to the heart of directing," Rath said.
Under the new public works structure, Joseph Solawetz, lead operator at the wastewater treatment plant, would remain in charge of the daily operations.
In a long-range view, committee members believe the other public works departments - streets, parks, engineering and water - would eventually be headed up by lead operators, as current department supervisors either retire or resign, leaving one public works director to manage all departments.
The other current department supervisors are Tom Boll, street department; Paul Klinzing, parks department; and Alan Gerber, engineering department.
"It is important that supervisors are preparing some of their employees to take over when that supervisor leaves," Rath said.
Committee members raised two concerns about the new structure.
Jan Lefevre asked whether any new director of public works or the wastewater treatment plant would be able to handle the planned $20-million expansion.
"I have not been working with AECOM (the engineering firm hired to oversee the expansion plans and designs) by myself," Thompson told her. "I've had the support of the water department and other wastewater treatment plant staff. I expect the project to move ahead smoothly."
Reid Stangel was concerned about internal personnel relationships "when hiring a new boss," but Rath believed the situation would be manageable, especially if current supervisors are involved in the hiring process and "have a shot to apply" for the position.
An engineering degree is preferred but not required for the position. The committee directed Rath to update the job description, which he will present next week before the city advertises for applicants.
The decision "helps all the way down the line," said Charles Schuringa, committee chairman.
Kelly Finkenbinder, Monroe's last director of public works, retired in February 2011 after 30 years of service. City administrator Phil Rath and other city department heads have since picked up the duties of that position, without compensation for the additional responsibilities and workload.
"The kicker is, they were promised but never got it," Schuringa said.
Committee member Brooke Bauman noted having a public works director might be more cost effective, after Rath indicated the annual salary for that position would be between $62,000 and $91,000, while the salary for a water-wastewater utilities director would be between $58,000 and $86,000.
George Thompson, the current utilities director, earns an annual salary of $85,000. Thompson was moved to utilities director last fall, while remaining as water treatment plant supervisor, when the city merged the utilities' administrations. Mike Kennison remained as supervisor of the water department.
By hiring a director of public works, the committee found no need to fill the utilities director position.
Hiring a director of public works "gets to the heart of directing," Rath said.
Under the new public works structure, Joseph Solawetz, lead operator at the wastewater treatment plant, would remain in charge of the daily operations.
In a long-range view, committee members believe the other public works departments - streets, parks, engineering and water - would eventually be headed up by lead operators, as current department supervisors either retire or resign, leaving one public works director to manage all departments.
The other current department supervisors are Tom Boll, street department; Paul Klinzing, parks department; and Alan Gerber, engineering department.
"It is important that supervisors are preparing some of their employees to take over when that supervisor leaves," Rath said.
Committee members raised two concerns about the new structure.
Jan Lefevre asked whether any new director of public works or the wastewater treatment plant would be able to handle the planned $20-million expansion.
"I have not been working with AECOM (the engineering firm hired to oversee the expansion plans and designs) by myself," Thompson told her. "I've had the support of the water department and other wastewater treatment plant staff. I expect the project to move ahead smoothly."
Reid Stangel was concerned about internal personnel relationships "when hiring a new boss," but Rath believed the situation would be manageable, especially if current supervisors are involved in the hiring process and "have a shot to apply" for the position.
An engineering degree is preferred but not required for the position. The committee directed Rath to update the job description, which he will present next week before the city advertises for applicants.