Council considering alternative to hiring new manager

by Angie Asam–Staff Writer

The Rogers City Council met Tuesday for a workshop meeting at 6 p.m. The first topic of discussion on the workshop agenda was the city manager search.

Mayor Tom Sobeck opened the meeting and gave each council member a copy of a letter he said he received about two months ago from planning and zoning department manager Toby Kuznicki.

Kuznicki’s letter suggested leaving the city manager position vacant on a short-term basis and having him and interim city manager Terri Koss continue the way they have been. Kuznicki submitted the letter on the behalf of both himself and Koss as a way for the city to save some money.

Since receiving the letter Sobeck has had discussions with Koss and Kuznicki about it and they have already presented the idea to the staff.

The proposal would be to have Koss continued as interim city manager with Kuznicki assisting her for a period of six to 18 months. The city would save on the manager’s salary, which would likely start at around $60,000 plus a benefits package estimated to cost $20,000 annually.

Mayor pro tem Gary Nowak voiced his opinion that the city needs one person in charge and that he was not for the idea.

The council then heard from each department head, all of whom were in favor of the plan.

“I suggest that we all take this home and read it again and digest it. Discuss it with Terri and Toby on your own. I am in favor of exploring it for six-18 months and evaluate it quarterly. It is not a long-term solution by any means, we do need a city manager, but do we need it right now? We can do this and stabilize our budget some. Demand for a city manager here is low right now, we just finished some major grant work and major projects,” said Sobeck.

Council would like to know what exactly they would save by going this route in the short term as well as what the downsides to making the decision might have.