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Qualifications spelled out for administrator's position

What is job performance based on?

Staff reporter

With all of the recent turmoil in Marion regarding the reappointment of city administrator David Mayfield, the question also was raised as to whether the city even needs an administrator.

What are the duties of the administrator? What are the qualifications?

The League of Kansas Municipalities provides a job classification program that the majority of cities and counties within the state follow. This classification process provides essential information to tax-based entities to assure fairness in pay increases by rating each job position based on responsibility, qualifications, experience, and potential exposure to danger.

The process also compares salaries with like positions in other cities and counties.

Another important aspect of the classification process is the evaluation of each position. Evaluations are supposed to be the basis for merit raises and the continued employment of the worker.

Evaluations are based on current position functions and requirements as dictated in the job description.

Information was gathered from the City of Marion, the City of Hillsboro, and the City of Herington regarding the highest-paid city official.

Here are the results.

City of Marion

The city has not updated its job description for the city administrator position since the city administrator and city clerk positions were split. when former city administrator/city clerk Dennis Nichols was with the city.

The resolution that was passed by Marion City Commission on Jan. 19, 1998, stated the duties also included economic development by working with existing businesses and attracting new industries to the community.

Duties also included to identify and assist in developing innovative commercial and retail sales ideas, participate in regional and state marketing organizations which will be useful in promoting the city, and promote tourism.

Managerial duties include leadership and direction in the development of short- and long-range plans, gather, interpret, and prepare data for studies, reports, and recommendations, maintain harmony among workers and resolve grievances, and recommend appointments and removal of department heads, officers, and employees of the city with the approval of the city commission.

According to the nearly 10-year-old resolution, the administrator also works in conjunction with the city clerk in preparing and submitting the annual city budget.

The position requirements were updated in January 2002, nine months before Mayfield was first appointed.

Those requirements are for the administrator to have six to 10 years of experience in governmental management and administration, and a college degree in public administration, public management, or a related field.

The administrator works under the direction of the mayor and city commission/council, and has authority to purchase necessary equipment and supplies.

Daily contact with the general public, subordinate and supervisory personnel, and the city commission/ council is expected.

Other cities

Both the cities of Hillsboro and Herington followed the league's recommendations where the descriptions are almost verbatim.

A major difference is the City of Hillsboro has an administrator position and Herington a city manager.

Traditionally, a manager has more power or decision-making ability than an administrator.

Hillsboro's position lists essential functions as hiring, firing, and managing of personnel, managing of city finances and investments, perform public relations, prepares and plans annual budget, performs short- and long-range planning, manages grant writing activities, and assists with economic development and local promotions.

The position requires four to six years of similar or related experience, and a bachelor's degree in public administration or a related field.

The administrator is expected to receive and respond to citizen complaints with tact and diplomacy and requires him/her to have a high degree of motivation and a strong work ethic. He/she must be dependable, possess initiative, and conduct him/herself in a professional manner.

The City of Herington had similar requirements that include one to three years of city management experience and a bachelor's degree in public administration or a closely related field.

Herington also has high standards that he/she must conduct him/herself in a professional manner, strive for excellence in the workplace, and respond to citizen complaints with tact and diplomacy.

The essential functions are similar to Hillsboro and Marion positions.

Herington's job description was updated in July 2006, and Hillsboro's in May 2000.

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