Finance Committee recommends full-time building inspector
By Robert Cloud
Interim City Administrator Chad Hoerth presented his draft for the city administrator’s new job description to the New London Finance Committee on July 8.
“I will be transparent with what the staff said,” Hoerth told the committee. “One staff member suggested that the job descriptions don’t overlap with department heads.”
Hoerth noted the city administrator is responsible for every position in the city.
Among the changes in the job description, the city administrator is to “Supervise and/or administer discipline, including suspension with or without pay, for all city employees…”
Another change in the job description is that New London’s city administrator also acts as the city’s Emergency Management director, with responsibilities to develop and maintain the city’s Emergency Operations Plan, be the main contact to FEMA, state and county emergency management, execute staff safety drills, and supervise reports and submit payment reimbursements to state and federal agencies.
Requirements for the job have also been revised.
Previously, New London’s city administrator was required to have a bachelor’s of science degree in public or business administration and a master’s degree was preferred. Five years’ experience as an administrator for a government agency was also required.
Now, applicants for the position need a degree in a related field and at least five years of proven managerial experience in city government.
The job description also requires that the city administrator hold annual job performance reviews of department heads.
Ald. Dave Morack suggested the performance reviews be held quarterly.
“If a department head is not performing, we don’t wait a year to take action,” Morack said. “The city administrator should meet with department heads at least quarterly.”
Full-time building inspector
Hoerth also told the Finance Committee he has been hearing complaints about the building inspector’s response times to requests.
“I think we need to reconsider a full-time position,” Hoerth said. “We need a quicker response time to requests for inspections.”
Currently, the city contracts with Kunkel Engineering Group, which provides a dedicated inspector who has office hours from 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In addition to inspections, the person filling the position would also act as a zoning administrator.
City Finance Director Judy Radtke said the cost for a full-time position was in the budget.
The committee voted unanimously to recommend the city fill the position of building inspector with a full-time person.