MONROE - Rex Ewald, Monroe, and James Mogen, Rice, Minn., are the remaining two candidates for the position of city administrator, Monroe Mayor Ron Marsh announced Thursday.
A third candidate, James Gitz, former two-term Freeport mayor, was eliminated after interviews in closed sessions Wednesday with the Monroe Common Council.
Both remaining candidates said they were pleased with the interview process.
"It went well, and I was comfortable with the council as I have been for many years, and I look forward to the next step," Ewald said.
His competition seemed to enjoy the depth of the selection process.
"I thought the interview went very well. The council has a thorough process, and I guess it's going to be a more thorough process," Mogen said.
Some council members are expected to pay site visits, though they won't have to go far to check Ewald. He's been Monroe's city attorney for about 20 years.
"I'm sure they know their way around," he laughed.
Mogen had served as a city attorney and worked with city administrators for several client cities in Minnesota.
Neither candidate knew the timing of the visits. Marsh said no visits have been scheduled yet.
Council members also have asked for background checks of the remaining candidates, but when they will be completed is not yet known.
Mogen said he liked what he has learned about Monroe.
"Monroe has a strong department system and strong department managers. They're all good at what they do. They just need someone to bring that vision together," he said.
Thurston Hanson, Ward 7 alderman, has not favored hiring an administrator in the past, mainly because of budget constraints.
However, if the city is going to hire one, he said, "let's find the best qualified candidate we can."
"Clearly we were looking for someone with strong economic development background, and someone, obviously, who would be a good administrator," he said.
Not all the candidates had previous administrative experience; therefore, council looked for "someone we think can do it," Hanson said.
While the position of administrator became attached with some legal duties, knowledge and experience with human resources was not forgotten by council members. Human resources was the third priority in a candidate, he added.
Candidates for the position needed a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school, five years legal experience with three in municipal law, and to be a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association. The city administrator will be required to write policies, ordinances, resolutions, contracts and agreements, and other legal documents, as well as provide litigation, prosecution and other legal services for the city. Human resources duties include overseeing all personnel matters.
"I'm still not confident the position is going to save us money," Hanson said. "But I'll leave my mind open."
The proposed 2010 budget includes about $138,000 for the office of administrator, which included $90,000 for salary and about $34,500 taxes, insurance and pension. About $13,000 has been set aside for maintaining the running of the office and position.
The legal fees account was reduced from $114,000 last year to only $60,000 for 2010, with the expectation that the new administrator will be performing almost half of the legal duties.
Council is expected to vote on the budget Nov. 17.
Council members, with Marsh officiating at the closed session, spent about three hours Wednesday interviewing the candidates and in discussion afterwards before coming to a decision.
Ewald, current city attorney for the City of Monroe, holds degrees in economics and geography and law. He has practiced law in Monroe since 1979, and is a partner in the Voegeli, Ewald and Bartholf Law Offices. He has been active on the Green County YMCA board of directors; served as chairman for the United Way of Green County fundraising campaign; and volunteers as legal counsel to the Green County Cheese Days, Inc.
Mogen holds a degree in environmental studies and law, and is working on a graduate certificate in public administration. He served with the office of Minnesota attorney general, representing the departments of transportation and of labor and industry. He also served as staff with the Metropolitan Council, the Ramsey County attorney's office and the Minnesota Senate.
A third candidate, James Gitz, former two-term Freeport mayor, was eliminated after interviews in closed sessions Wednesday with the Monroe Common Council.
Both remaining candidates said they were pleased with the interview process.
"It went well, and I was comfortable with the council as I have been for many years, and I look forward to the next step," Ewald said.
His competition seemed to enjoy the depth of the selection process.
"I thought the interview went very well. The council has a thorough process, and I guess it's going to be a more thorough process," Mogen said.
Some council members are expected to pay site visits, though they won't have to go far to check Ewald. He's been Monroe's city attorney for about 20 years.
"I'm sure they know their way around," he laughed.
Mogen had served as a city attorney and worked with city administrators for several client cities in Minnesota.
Neither candidate knew the timing of the visits. Marsh said no visits have been scheduled yet.
Council members also have asked for background checks of the remaining candidates, but when they will be completed is not yet known.
Mogen said he liked what he has learned about Monroe.
"Monroe has a strong department system and strong department managers. They're all good at what they do. They just need someone to bring that vision together," he said.
Thurston Hanson, Ward 7 alderman, has not favored hiring an administrator in the past, mainly because of budget constraints.
However, if the city is going to hire one, he said, "let's find the best qualified candidate we can."
"Clearly we were looking for someone with strong economic development background, and someone, obviously, who would be a good administrator," he said.
Not all the candidates had previous administrative experience; therefore, council looked for "someone we think can do it," Hanson said.
While the position of administrator became attached with some legal duties, knowledge and experience with human resources was not forgotten by council members. Human resources was the third priority in a candidate, he added.
Candidates for the position needed a juris doctor degree from an accredited law school, five years legal experience with three in municipal law, and to be a member of the Wisconsin Bar Association. The city administrator will be required to write policies, ordinances, resolutions, contracts and agreements, and other legal documents, as well as provide litigation, prosecution and other legal services for the city. Human resources duties include overseeing all personnel matters.
"I'm still not confident the position is going to save us money," Hanson said. "But I'll leave my mind open."
The proposed 2010 budget includes about $138,000 for the office of administrator, which included $90,000 for salary and about $34,500 taxes, insurance and pension. About $13,000 has been set aside for maintaining the running of the office and position.
The legal fees account was reduced from $114,000 last year to only $60,000 for 2010, with the expectation that the new administrator will be performing almost half of the legal duties.
Council is expected to vote on the budget Nov. 17.
Council members, with Marsh officiating at the closed session, spent about three hours Wednesday interviewing the candidates and in discussion afterwards before coming to a decision.
Ewald, current city attorney for the City of Monroe, holds degrees in economics and geography and law. He has practiced law in Monroe since 1979, and is a partner in the Voegeli, Ewald and Bartholf Law Offices. He has been active on the Green County YMCA board of directors; served as chairman for the United Way of Green County fundraising campaign; and volunteers as legal counsel to the Green County Cheese Days, Inc.
Mogen holds a degree in environmental studies and law, and is working on a graduate certificate in public administration. He served with the office of Minnesota attorney general, representing the departments of transportation and of labor and industry. He also served as staff with the Metropolitan Council, the Ramsey County attorney's office and the Minnesota Senate.