Recruitment Profile

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Magdalen O’Neal’
5 years ago
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1 City Administrator Recruitment Profile The City of Fredonia seeks a new Administrator to manage its municipal services and contribute leadership for local economic growth. Situated on the tallgrass prairie of Southeast Kansas, this community of 2,300 is exceptional in its support for local business, community volunteerism, and family-friendly quality of life. Qualified persons send resume, cover letter highlighting preferred qualifications, and salary history in a single integrated file to: Recruitment Advisor Marla Flentje mflentje@austinpeters.com Deadline: May 14, 2018

Estimated Timetable for City Administrator Recruitment

2 SUMMARY I. The Fredonia Community II. Fredonia City Government III. Duties IV. Qualifications V. Preferred Qualities VI. Priorities VII. Compensation VIII. Estimated Timetable for City Administrator Recruitment Recruitment Profile prepared by The Austin Peters Group, Inc. and approved by Fredonia City Commission on April 2, 2018.

3 I The Fredonia Community Fredonia is where the flag flies high. An enormous American flag sits atop the 1,000-foot geologic South Mound and can be seen from miles in every direction, representing a unique signature. The City s strategic location is at the junction of U.S. highways 47 and 400, and less than a two-hour drive to urban centers including Tulsa, Kansas City, Joplin and Wichita. Leading employers are Fredonia Regional Hospital, Fredonia Public Schools, manufacturers including LMI, R K Steel, TCI, Systech, and Pete s Corporation, as well as A-Lert Construction, G W Foods, and Morningstar Care Homes. Fredonia is the county seat for Wilson County which also provides significant employment. From its founding as an agricultural community 150 years ago, Fredonia retains a small-town character where neighbors find numerous ways to celebrate and help each other. The community sustains an exceptional rate of volunteerism recruited by a host of nonprofit organizations. The recently-completed stone and metal Welcome to Fredonia entryway sign is symbolic of civic synergy. The large structure was constructed with volunteer labor and donated materials. Other evidence of a volunteer ethic are annual events including the week-long Homecoming celebrations, Old Iron Days Festival, and the Christmas Parade. Volunteers recently revitalized the Fall River park at the historic Otto s Mill Dam and have begun fund raising to rebuild the Star Mound display. The downtown, with its 19th century origins include a town square with the courthouse, a historic working clock tower, and the Stonehouse Gallery (home to the Fredonia Arts Council). The Wilson County Historical Society and vintage Victorian-era homes are within a few blocks. K-12 education for nearly 700 students is provided by U.S.D 484 at three attendance centers. Earlier this year, the District provided leadership for an Early Learning Center supported in part from generous private gifts. Five community colleges are within less than an hour s drive from Fredonia. Access to health care is a community strength. The Fredonia Regional Hospital is a critical care facility with a 24/7 emergency room. The hospital operates an emergency medical service and two health clinics supported by six physicians. The region is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Four reservoirs are within a 35-minute drive. Each offers boating, skiing, fishing, camping, swimming, and hiking opportunities. The area s turkeys and white-tail deer are an attraction for hunters during spring and fall seasons. The City has seven parks of varying sizes with green spaces, mature trees, a new swimming pool, and facilities for picnicking and playground equipment. Competitive youth sports are a prominent feature of community life. Continuing support for public improvements, a financially stable municipality, and engaged community leadership and volunteerism reveal the collective optimism that Fredonia sustains for its future.

II. Fredonia City Government The City is governed by a three-member governing body, the Mayor and two Commissioners, elected on a non-partisan ballot to staggered, three-year terms.

The next municipal election will be in November 2018, when one Commission seat is on the ballot.

The current Interim City Administrator is not a candidate for the position. The City s 2018 budget is $9.2 million.

4 II. Fredonia City Government The City is governed by a three-member governing body, the Mayor and two Commissioners, elected on a non-partisan ballot to staggered, three-year terms. The of fic e of M ayo r i s a d i r e c t ly- ele c t e d p o sit io n. The Mayor presides at meetings, votes on all matters advanced by the Commission, and signs ordinances. The next municipal election will be in November 2018, when one Commission seat is on the ballot. Fredonia established the position of City Administrator in 1999, and since that time, five individuals have served in the position. The current Interim City Administrator is not a candidate for the position. The City s 2018 budget is $9.2 million. Budgeted expenditures for utilities (water, wastewater, electric, and solid waste) total $2.1 million assessed valuation is $10,723,257. This year the City levied mills in property taxes. The local sales tax is 2.5 percent, with one percent dedicated to the hospital, one percent to swimming pool construction, and one-half percent to infrastructure. Total indebtedness is $2.3 million. City services are administered by four department directors (Public Works, Police, Water/Sewer, and Electric) who are supervised by the City Administrator. The Administrator also directly supervises utility billing and other City Hall administrative staff. Economic development is led by an Economic Development Committee, a Cityappointed entity with a mission to grow local businesses, and recruit new business and industry. The City Administrator participates as a member of the Committee. The Committee administers the Fredonia Fast Forward program to provide lowinterest loans to existing or new businesses. Economic development assets include an industrial park with existing space for new businesses. The Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission is an active partner with the City, particularly in obtaining grants. A separate Recreation Commission provides facilities and programming for sports and leisure pursuits for all ages. An independent regional library system operates the Fredonia Public Library. Recent projects include improvements to the downtown square, runway expansion at the airport, and a new aquatic center with water features that include a winding slide. Plans are underway for construction of a new skate park. The City s workforce is comprised of 33 full-time employees and 20 part-time employees (most of the latter are firefighters). A group health insurance premium, which includes a dental plan, is fully covered for individual, full-time employees, with 82 percent covered for family members. Employees are eligible for retirement benefits through the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS). The state mandates that employees contribute six percent of their gross earnings. Employees are vested after five years of service. Employer contributions remain with the retirement system and go toward the cost of life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and death and retirement benefits. Vacation and sick leave are accrued at a rate that accumulates based on years of service and may be used after one year of employment. Employees also have eight paid holidays and two personal days per year. The City provides a full range of services including: police and fire street maintenance water distribution and wastewater treatment electric distribution solid waste planning and zoning building/code inspection and enforcement parks administration municipal court cemetery

III. Duties As authorized by local ordinance, the City Administrator is the chief administrative officer and works under supervision of the City Commission.

regulatory compliance of services; recommendations for matters concerning the welfare of the City; implementation of Commission decisions; and contribution of ideas and energy to community and

5 III. Duties As authorized by local ordinance, the City Administrator is the chief administrative officer and works under supervision of the City Commission. The Administrator s duties include: general human resource management and day-to-day supervision of department heads; budget preparation and oversight of expenditures; oversight of legal and regulatory compliance of services; recommendations for matters concerning the welfare of the City; implementation of Commission decisions; and contribution of ideas and energy to community and economic development. The person appointed to the position of Administrator is expected to establish residency within the City limits within three months after assuming the position. Minimum Qualifications 1) Two years experience in a management position that includes supervisory, budget, and finance responsibility; 2) Bachelor s degree in business or public administration, or related field from an accredited university; 3) Evidence of a stable work history and progressive career advancement; and 4) An unblemished record of ethical conduct. Preferred qualifications 1) Three years management experience in a state or local government organization; 2) Master s degree in public administration or related field from an accredited university; 3) Knowledge of community economic deelopment; 4) Personal or professional experience with a rural community; and IV. Qualifications 5) Experience obtaining external grants for projects or programs.

V. Preferred Qualities The Mayor and City Commission have identified preferred leadership qualities and practices of the next Administrator and will seek evidence of these qualities in interviews and

sustain trusting relationships, along with visible engagement in the life of the community; and Supervisory skills to expect and recognize excellent employee performance, cultivate teamwork, and

Priorities The Mayor and Commissioners have identified immediate projects and issues that will require the next Administrator s attention: Reenergizing strategies for economic development.

6 V. Preferred Qualities The Mayor and City Commission have identified preferred leadership qualities and practices of the next Administrator and will seek evidence of these qualities in interviews and background reviews: Ability to generate creative ideas and facilitate community cooperation among City, business, and nonprofit leaders; Interpersonal skills that enable effective communication and sustain trusting relationships, along with visible engagement in the life of the community; and Supervisory skills to expect and recognize excellent employee performance, cultivate teamwork, and assure accountability. VI. Priorities The Mayor and Commissioners have identified immediate projects and issues that will require the next Administrator s attention: Reenergizing strategies for economic development. City government is the facilitative partner in achieving a cooperative, unified approach among the Chamber of Commerce, business leaders, regional entities, and the state of Kansas. The governing body will look to its next Administrator to bring energy and creativity to this municipal priority. City reorganization. The City benefits from experienced employees who are proud to serve the community, and merit trust and empowerment to perform their duties. The Mayor and Commissioners believe their valued employees and departments can be organized for greater efficiencies and will welcome the new Administrator s observations and recommendations. Revision and improvement to human resource policies. City personnel policies, compensation plan, and other related policies need to be updated. The City will seek comprehensive recommendations from its new Administrator. Infrastructure maintenance and improvements. The City recently approved a five-year capital improvement plan for street and utility-line replacement, and public space improvements. The governing body will require the skill of its next Administrator to advance the funding plan and complete projects in a timely and effective manner.

VII. Compensation The Mayor and City Commission are committed to providing a base salary, benefits, and an employment agreement competitive with similar Kansas cities and commensurate with the

In addition to benefits received by full-time employees, the Administrator may also receive automobile and technology allowances, and support for professional development and association memberships

7 VII. Compensation The Mayor and City Commission are committed to providing a base salary, benefits, and an employment agreement competitive with similar Kansas cities and commensurate with the experience and education of its preferred candidate. The low end of the base salary range for the City Administrator position is $70,000. VIII. In addition to benefits received by full-time employees, the Administrator may also receive automobile and technology allowances, and support for professional development and association memberships as part of total compensation. The Board s intent is to formalize compensation and other terms of employment in a City Administrator employment agreement. Estimated Timetable for City Administrator Recruitment Interested individuals who meet the minimum qualifications for the position should submit resume materials by May 14 as directed on the front page of this profile. Finalists for the position will be identified by mid-may, and candidate interviews likely will be scheduled in early June. The governing body hopes to appoint the new Administrator later that month, with the person selected assuming the position as soon thereafter as possible.

8 Recruitment Profile prepared by The Austin Peters Group, Inc. and approved by Fredonia City Commission on April 2, Qualified persons send resume, cover letter highlighting preferred qualifications, and salary history in a single integrated file to: Recruitment Advisor Marla Flentje mflentje@austinpeters.com Deadline: May 14, 2018

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