MONROE - The Common Council chose to have a job description created for a city administrator/attorney position at Tuesday's, council meeting at City Hall.
The council voted 8-1 to have the city's Salary and Personnel Committee write up a description for the job. Alderman Thurston Hanson voted against the proposal.
Alderman Mark Coplien said the Salary and Personnel Committee could have a job description ready in two weeks.
However, there was some discussion as to who the description would be for.
The Council has to decide if a job description for an administrator/attorney position should be created to fit a specific person or should it be written to outline job duties for anyone hired for the job. Coplien said the committee and the council could look at the possibility that City Attorney Rex Ewald would be given the job, if one is ultimately created.
"We have someone with 21 years experience," he said. "In my mind, getting a person with in-house makes the most sense for the first time around."
Coplien said department heads have told him they would support giving Ewald more responsibility as an administrator/attorney.
"The department heads are in favor of the position as long as it involves Rex," Coplien said.
None of the department heads at the meeting offered their opinions.
Coplien suggested the decision to accept the position, if it were offered to him, is up to Ewald.
"I think this is in Rex's court," Coplien said.
Alderman Dan Henke said a job description was needed.
"We need to take the right steps so the next mayor and next council have steps in place," he said.
Alderman Jan Lefevre said she opposed writing a job description with one person in mind.
Hanson said he opposed creating a new position.
"You're putting the cart before the horse," he said. "This is fiscally irresponsible. We're expanding government, make no mistake about it."
Hanson said the city has to face a tight budget and the city council shouldn't increase government.
Coplien disagreed with Hanson's assessment.
"You're not adding. You're looking at changing a position," he said. "When we call Rex we're charged for doing it. I don't know if we're going to save money."
Hanson said the city can't afford to add more costs to its budget.
The council voted 8-1 to have the city's Salary and Personnel Committee write up a description for the job. Alderman Thurston Hanson voted against the proposal.
Alderman Mark Coplien said the Salary and Personnel Committee could have a job description ready in two weeks.
However, there was some discussion as to who the description would be for.
The Council has to decide if a job description for an administrator/attorney position should be created to fit a specific person or should it be written to outline job duties for anyone hired for the job. Coplien said the committee and the council could look at the possibility that City Attorney Rex Ewald would be given the job, if one is ultimately created.
"We have someone with 21 years experience," he said. "In my mind, getting a person with in-house makes the most sense for the first time around."
Coplien said department heads have told him they would support giving Ewald more responsibility as an administrator/attorney.
"The department heads are in favor of the position as long as it involves Rex," Coplien said.
None of the department heads at the meeting offered their opinions.
Coplien suggested the decision to accept the position, if it were offered to him, is up to Ewald.
"I think this is in Rex's court," Coplien said.
Alderman Dan Henke said a job description was needed.
"We need to take the right steps so the next mayor and next council have steps in place," he said.
Alderman Jan Lefevre said she opposed writing a job description with one person in mind.
Hanson said he opposed creating a new position.
"You're putting the cart before the horse," he said. "This is fiscally irresponsible. We're expanding government, make no mistake about it."
Hanson said the city has to face a tight budget and the city council shouldn't increase government.
Coplien disagreed with Hanson's assessment.
"You're not adding. You're looking at changing a position," he said. "When we call Rex we're charged for doing it. I don't know if we're going to save money."
Hanson said the city can't afford to add more costs to its budget.