Public Safety Building housing Council Chambers, Yelm

The Yelm City Administrator post has been vacant for three months and while the position was finally posted in late October (4 1/2 months after notification of becoming vacant) and candidates have applied, no one has emerged as a potential replacement.

The time has come for Mayor Harding and the Yelm City Council to consider hiring a “head hunter” to get qualified candidates for interviews. As an example, this city previously went through several Finance Directors in a short period of time because of not selecting the right-fit person for the job.

– The Facts:
– Former City Administrator Shelly Badger gave notice of her resignation on June 5, 2015, almost 3 months in advance of her last day of September 1st. This was a very professional act on her part, to give the mayor plenty of time to find a replacement and train under Badger’s tutelage before her departure.
Yet that did not happen.

– While the City Administrator post became officially vacant on September 1, 2015, the position should have been posted within 30 days of Badger’s notice.
Yet that did not happen.

– Almost 3 months later did the Council finally inquire about this issue at the August 28, 2015 City Council Study Session. Quoting the Minutes: “Inquired about hiring staff for vacant positions.” The response: “There is no confirmed process for filling the City Administrator position at this time.”
The Yelm City Council should have publicly asked the mayor about the Yelm City Administrator position being posted by July 5th, yet the posting occurred in late October.
Yet that did not happen.

– Bottom Line:
* The Mayor is to appoint the Yelm City Administrator per the Yelm Municipal Code.

* Mayor Harding has been the acting City Administrator since just prior to September 1st, without the qualifications and skill set required by the City of Yelm (see below).

* Harding told the Yelm Community Blog he is taking no additional salary in his role as Acting City Administrator, a position that is the highest paid on the Yelm payroll. Yelm is not a charity!

* The mayor contributes to and/or writes the Staff Reports presented to the Yelm City Council and him for approval.

* Has the fact that the mayor dragged out replacement of the highest paid city official for 6 months severely impacted City Hall’s ability to serve the public?

* Is this added workload the reason the 12 City Hall employees voted overwhelming (70% or above) to unionize?

– Quoting the City of Yelm:
GENERAL GOVERNMENT POSITIONS
City Administrator
The City of Yelm is seeking an experienced manager with extensive knowledge of modern principles and practices of municipal government. Successful candidate will effectively coordinate activities of all city departments, while fostering a strong community and team environment.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration and five years executive level management experience. Combination of experience and required education will be considered. Master’s degree in business or public administration and ICMA membership shown preference.

Position description – click here. Non-exempt, full time. $104,000 – $125,000