The city of Albert Lea is looking for a new employee. Please read below:

Assistant City Manager

Job objectives:

Performs responsible administrative and supervisory work assisting the city manager in the day-to-day operations of the city including communications, information technology and special projects; prepares special analysis, reports and studies as requested; oversees the operation of the city’s public information, policy development and implementation, and records management; and performs other duties as required.

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, community development, business, finance or a related field and four years of public sector administrative experience. A master’s degree in one of the above fields may substitute for experience.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with city clerk functions.

• Experience with information technology functions.

• MPA or other advanced degree in related field.

Salary range: $61,418 to $79,831.

This ad was located on the city’s website and also the website for the League of Cities. I guess we need to keep a closer eye on the website to see what’s going on in our fair city. Can someone please explain to the citizens of Albert Lea why we are looking for a new employee for the position mentioned above? Did I miss something at a city council meeting that mentioned they would be looking for someone for this new position? Is our present city manager unable to handle his position or has he been given too many new duties that he can’t do his job and they need to hire an assistant? It has been near impossible to get an answer from the mayor or city council on previous questions, will they react the same this time?

We apparently have up to $80,000 in our budget to hire someone new and that doesn’t include benefits. What was provided to the city employees this year for yearly raises? Were we fair to the present city employees? Please start asking these questions of your councilman so we know what’s going on before it’s done and someone is hired.

 

Kathy Diaz

Albert Lea