City developer is discussed
A public hearing was held Sept. 6 following a regular Marion City Commission meeting to discuss the new economic development position.
David Mayfield, city administrator, proposed a procedure for hiring. The commission approved the procedure as presented.
The proposal was to appoint a pre-screening committee, setup an assessment center for selected candidates to complete, and a final interview with the commission.
The pre-screening committee will be comprised of the city's economic development advisory council, chamber of commerce, and a local investors' group.
A pre-interview will be conducted by the committee with all candidates, narrowing the field to three candidates. Background investigations will be conducted at that time, said Mayfield.
The assessment center will have three assessors — Gerry Henderson, retired USD 408 superintendent, Rod Weinmeister, field representative with Kansas Department of Commerce, and John Hotaling, economic development director of Coffey County.
The candidates will be tested for abilities in letter writing, decision making, role playing, oral communication, and group discussions.
"It will be a thorough process and will take one to two months to complete," said Mayfield.
Mayfield said he was comfortable with the current applicants but knows some will withdraw their application when they are made aware of the salary.
Some of the applicants have experience, said Mayfield, but none are in an economic development position at the present time.
The salary range is between $40,000-$50,000 per year with $45,000 being budgeted. The total operating budget will be $82,000, said Mayfield.
Sales tax revenue can be used to offset expenses not included in the 2006 budget.
The commission requested names for the pre-screening committee be submitted to Mayfield.
The committee will be appointed at an upcoming commission meeting.
