The Holbrook City Council held a work session last Wednesday to discuss the general plan overview and priorities and qualities in regard to the open city manager position.
Mayor Kathleen Smith stated that the council will be following the city’s public participation guide that was approved the previous April. The public participation guide outlines ways to engage the public throughout the general plan process, which includes outreach efforts through various channels and open communication. Smith recommended monthly public forums for the people to attend, adding that Arizona State University’s Just Energy Transition (JET) Center held similar meetings in Joseph City and would be willing to assist free of charge.
The council tentatively agreed to look into hosting its first public forum Wednesday, March 6, at the George Gardner Performing Arts Center (GGPAC), pending further investigation and venue request. Ideas of recording the sessions live as well were discussed, allowing written statements from the public.
Interim Manager Randy Sullivan was excused as council talked about finalizing their priorities, as well as desired qualities and qualifications for the city manager position.
According to Smith, city policy states that the pay range starts at $122,583 and goes up to $171,000 and that there will be more discussion pertaining to next year’s budget and potential salaries for a public works director, which is currently added into the city manager’s role.
Councilwoman Arcenia Pacheco stated that she researched position postings from other cities to get an idea of what to look for. “I happened to go through salaries and populations,” she said, adding that she felt they should lower the salary due to population numbers, so that the city could maybe hire an economic development director.
Pacheco stated as an example of her research, that the city manager salary range for the City of Tempe is $94,000-$126,000, citing a job listing she found. Smith stated that she thinks it’s important to have a good wage to entice quality candidates. “You kind of get what you pay for.”
Despite Pacheco’s findings, a review of the City of Tempe’s city council meetings minutes, shows that in June of last year Rosa Inchausti was approved as it’s city manager at an annual salary $315,000, with potential for an annual merit step increase of up to 5%, or up to $15,750. That department also consists of three additional deputy city managers.
Smith stated that she thinks it’s important to have a good wage to entice quality candidates. “You kind of get what you pay for.”
Pacheco also read from a lengthy document in which she compiled a list of qualifications and qualities she compiled for a manager. A list that included: communication, integrity, emotional intelligence, strong administration qualities, culturally diverse, accomplished, upbeat, logical, calm, flexible, thick skinned, persistent, visionary, fiscally conservative, finding ways to reduce costs while maintaining and improving services, and much more. Following Pacheco’s comments, Smith stated, “I like the content. My worry is, you put all that but then add, ‘we’re not going to pay very much.’”
Vice Mayor Mike Nilsson stated he would like someone who treated everyone, especially councilmembers, equally and without prejudice.
Conversation then shifted to whether the salary range should be included in the job posting. Councilman Robert Black stated that it should be. Pacheco countered that the county manager position had no salary listed when it was posted. Vice Mayor Nilsson agreed with Black but no consensus was made on whether it would be included or not.
Councilmember Tim Dixon, who was unable to attend the work session, requested the special meeting following the work session motion be tabled, so that he may be in attendance. The council agreed, and tabled the special meeting and the motion to adopt the city manager profile and qualities until meeting again last Monday. The outcome of that meeting will be in the next edition of The Tribune.
