Assistant City Manager Job Removed from Budget
Aldermen want to wait before hiring second in command.
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Elmhurst aldermen Monday night removed the assistant city manager position from the proposed 2010-11 budget, saying they were not yet ready to commit to hiring a second-in-command for the new city manager.
The assistant city manager would have been a permanent, stand-alone, full-time position and would have reported to the city manager. Current city manager Tom Borchert will be retiring this year, and the city is in the process of hiring his replacement. Michael Kopp now serves as both the assistant city manager and fire chief.
Borchert told alderman that this was the right time to take a look at an organization chart more in keeping with other municipalities of Elmhurst's size. But many alderman were reluctant to hire an assistant for a manager who was not yet on board.
“I think city staff is doing a great job under the current paradigm,” said 3rd Ward Alderman Michael Bram.”I see that going forward, at least until we are able to get a new city manager on board.”
Fifth Ward Alderman Chris Healy said the new manager will need time to decide if an assistant is needed and what his or her job would entail. He noted that when Kopp was promoted to assistant city manager, that half-position was not in the budget but the City Council was able to find the money for the extra salary.
Under different circumstances, he said, he would agree to add the position to the budget.
“I am not opposed to the position. I am opposed to putting it into the budget in a year when we cannot literally make it happen,” he said.
First Ward Alderman Paula Pezza said adding the position sends the message that the council does not expect the new city manager to be able to handle the job.
First Ward Alderman Diane Gutenkauf said she was uncomfortable adding the position when there were still other city staff positions that would remain unfilled.
“I'm not sure I can support adding another full-time position under those circumstances,” she said.
Sixth Ward Alderman Steve Morley told the council that he was pleased to see that the proposed budget is balanced and that staff expected revenues to trend up, but he did not yet want to start spending this money.
“I'd rather see the money in the bank,” he said.
“I think the fire department is stretched,” countered 3rd Ward Alderman Susan Rose. “I don't think it's sustainable for our community not to have a full-time fire chief.”
She added that she does not want to tie the hands of the future City Council by not providing the salary in the budget.
Fifth Ward Alderman Scott Levin told the council that the city ordinance allows for the position, and that comparable towns have assistants at the top level. He reiterated that approving the budget allows for the city to have the position without necessarily filling of the position.
“There's an opportunity to have that discussion before the decision is made,” he said.
He also disagreed that the city is sending the wrong message to potential candidates, as many of those who will apply for the position are likely to come from municipalities with an assistant position.
The council voted to put the money that was budgeted for the position toward building up the city's fund balance.
MIKE
7:40 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The alderman / alderwomen acted in a courageous way in stopping the City spending. Elm. is a small community, Tom B. seemed to do just fine with one City Mgr. We don't need more government, less is better. Thank you !
Jenny Goodwin
7:45 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I applaud the Council's actions last night. Led by Alderman Steve Morley, and others, the Council stood up for the residents and said no to bigger government. Good job.
Mick Kahler
8:16 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I think we all know what was avoided thanks to the heroic action done by the city council. Mayor Di Cianni wants someone other than Mike Kopp to be City Manager and he was looking to placate Kopp with the "Assistant City Manager" gig being a full time job for him. Mike Kopp should be our new City Manager and no "Assistant C.M." is needed!
Jim Court
8:39 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Suzan Rose, has the Fire Chiefs salary been reduced to a part-time status? I thought Mike Kopp was our full time Fire Chief and paid additionally for his part-time City Manager position.
Mick Kahler, as a city we face a difficult decision. If Mike Kopp was promoted to City Manager we would lose a well established Fire Chief.
The job of City Manager deals with two separate dimensions. One aspect is visionary, the other is administrative. Typically one person does not possess both. While I consider myself very visionary. I have limited talents in the administrative aspects of a job.
The visionary aspect is about creativity, openness, flexibility and leadership.
The administrative is more conservative, conventional, conforming and managing.
The ultimate decision should be made in what are the best interests of the City.
I can only hope that we hire someone who will be with us for a long time and afford some level of continuity. Our new School Superintendent, although qualified, is 60 years old. In the near future we will be doing a search once again. The only potential advantage to someone who will be in the job for a short time is their ability to make difficult decisions that make rock the status-quo and not worry about future political ramifications.
MIKE
8:46 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
To Jim & others that are advocating more government & more spending - nonsense. We have to stop rewarding or awarding jobs to retired or semi-retired city workers. We should be a prudent & conservative city government that is fiscally responsible. How complicated is it running a city government of approx. 40,000 ? Give me a break.
The retiring City mgr., Tom B. did a great job for the last 30 days , we do not need more assistants etc. Let's keep the city free of cronyism and polictics and try to be thrifty and conservative. My taxes are very high right now and less is better. Thanks.
Jim Court
8:53 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Mike,
Perhaps you misunderstand my position. It is never about adding more jobs, yielding to cronyism, or political considerations. I am simply talking about the desired characteristics of a new City manager and a commentary about the age considerations. I am all for efficiency and streamlined budgets.
MIKE
10:07 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Ok Jim. I think we are on the same page. A dedicated city mgr. who is experienced in running a city of 40k, should be able to handle the situation. Why an assistant, that is the issue. Thanks for the claification Jimbo.
God bless.
MIKE
11:15 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Hey Mick K., has the city council looked at other candidates for Ciy Manager? Mike K. could be right but the city needs to do its due diligence in selecting a new City Mgr. Right?
Mick Kahler
11:34 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Mike, "Due Dilligence" is code for paying a search firm too much money to find a candidate worthy of a job when there are plenty of local candidates who can handle the position. I have no problem interviewing other people for the City Manager gig but Mike Kopp will prove to be the most worthy. He has been a fixture at City hall in Council & Committee meetings for years. Add to that the guidance Tom Borchert has been mentoring Mike with and you've got a no brainer on the right pick for the C.M. job. Back in the late 70's when Robert Palmer retired as City Manager, Tom B was working alongside him and fit in to his promotion with relative ease. Mike will do the same.
Jim, regarding the Fire Department, I'm pretty confident they can come up with a replacement for Mike Kopp within their ranks. Someone who will carry on the strong leadership and vision that Mike brought to that job. Let's not overthink this thing in the name of alleged "due dilligence."
Jim Court
11:59 am on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Without an objective search there would be accusations of insider dealing. The search removes this cloud, even if it costs some money. I only wish our Fire Chief was a little younger so that he would be in the job for a long time.Of course, he probably wishes the same, as do I and many others. It would be nice to be forty once again. I was twenty-five last year. Where did the time go bye ? I am sixty-one today.
Mick Kahler
1:25 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I agree that other candidates should be interviewed but hiring a search firm is a waste of money. You want someone who knows Elmhurst. Kopp has lived and worked here for over 40 years. As far as Mike's age, (same age as me) that is no barrier for the City Manager gig. In politics, if you're 50, you're considered "the kid."
The age of the new 205 Superintendent is a little on the high side but I get the impression he is looked upon as an experienced administrator who is being counted on to guide our schools through some immediate rough waters. I have every confidence he will do just that.
James Garst
3:18 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Why don't you ask a few fireman what Mike K is all about?
MIKE
3:28 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Hey everyone, I have no qualms about any candidate for Ciy Mgr. May the best qualified person be selected and Mike could possibly be the best. The city and alderperson's are probably also looking for the best also as well. Let's let the elected officials do there job and select the best. Good luck to all who are in the selection process. God bless.
Jim Court
4:36 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2011
James Garst
Why would you make a comment like you did?