Restructuring to be discussed

By SUSAN BERG

Managing editor

City economic development director and temporary assistant city administrator Doug Kjellin was appointed as the permanent city administrator Monday evening by Marion City Council.

Kjellin was appointed as assistant city administrator at the Nov. 29 council meeting. Administrator David Mayfield revealed the day after the council meeting that he planned to retire at the end of the year.

However, with the appointment come more changes at the city.

“In this economic time, we need to knock out an administrative position,” councilman Steve Smith said. “We need to eliminate an economic development position and make it part of the city administrator’s position.”

“I think one person can do both jobs,” councilman Bill Holdeman said.

Smith continued that he believed with the assistance of a secretary who could write grants, there wasn’t any need for a full-time developer. He also believes that if someone outside of the community were hired, it would cost the city more.

The 2011 budget has been set but Smith said he wanted to discuss restructuring the city administration and review job descriptions including superintendents and office personnel for 2012.

After two 10-minute executive sessions with Kjellin, the council approved the appointment of Kjellin as administrator. He will start Jan. 1. Holdeman voted against the appointment, stating he opposed because Kjellin lives out of town. Kjellin and his family lives on a family farm east of Marion.

Kjellin will be paid Mayfield’s ending salary of $65,000 per year. He currently earns $48,000 per year.

Later in the meeting, Holdeman suggested 10 to 12 city employees be cut because he believes there are too many employees. He also wants to eliminate two pickups and reduce the number of city-paid cell phones. He suggested there be a crew chief outside of the administrative office to oversee employees and the administrator’s salary should be cut. The remaining employees would be given substantial pay increases.

“I don’t want to see the city be the training ground for some other town,” Holdeman said.

After his suggestion, Smith and councilman Chris Meierhoff expressed their concerns, stating there were only 30 full-time and part-time employees in the city.

Mayor Mary Olson asked the council to take formal action regarding the acceptance of Mayfield’s retirement. The council voted 3-2 with Meierhoff and Smith opposing the motion.