Administrator's role discussed

It’s one of the biggest decisions the Green River City Council will make in 2015, which will have an impact on the city’s employees and residents.

Filling the open city administrator position is something the council has discussed extensively. Since December, the council has discussed the position and its applicants in executive sessions at the end of their regular council meetings.

“We need that position filled,” Mayor Pete Rust said last week.

Rust said the city’s budget review period is approaching and while Finance Director Jeff Nieters does handle a large portion of that work, Rust said the city administrator is responsible for much of the budget work as well.

Tentatively, interviews are scheduled to take place Feb 7. Rust said he expects the city will have hired a city administrator before the end of the legislative session in Cheyenne, the final day of which is scheduled for March 11.

A few councilmen have commented on the qualities they believe the position requires.

Councilman Gary Killpack said he would prefer to see someone who works well with both the city’s employees and its residents. Killpack said he believes the hiring committee won’t have a better idea of who they will hire until they host interviews with applicants.

“I don’t think the resumes will say a whole lot,” Killpack said. “The big thing is the interview.”

Killpack also stated he plans to give the same consideration to candidates with equivalent amounts of experience outside of government as those with municipal government experience. Killpack said he believes the government experience is important, but thinks equal consideration should be granted.

Councilman Brett Stokes said he thinks the new city administrator should be able to listen to both residents and the city council members. He also believes the person should care about Green River and not simply use it as a stepping stone to another position. He thinks the person should have an understanding of Green River when they’re hired as well.

“Someone who understands our city, that’s huge,” Stokes said.

Rust said the top qualities he’s looking for in a candidate are leadership ability and good communication skills.

He said the position functions as a supervisory role to the city’s department heads, making leadership a crucial component of the job. Communication skills are important as well, as the position works closely with the council and department heads to implement city policies and manage services provided to Green River’s residents.