The City of Galesburg officially approved the creation of a new administrative position, Director of Public Works/ Assistant City Manager, at their meeting Monday.
The position would remain the head of the Public Works Department but also assist the city manager on an as-needed basis.
City Manager Gerald Smith says current Director of Public Works Wayne Carl would have been elevated into the position but has decided to retire in the Spring of 2023.
Smith says that the city feared it would be difficult to attract a candidate with the same level of experience as Carl, so the packaging of duties will “encourage and incentivize highly qualified candidates.”
The City hopes candidates will be particularly interested in the position if they have a goal of eventually becoming a city manager.
Smith also says the new position will aid the City Manager in the “promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.”
He hopes to be able to find a candidate that also has experience in municipal government and public works.
The salary schedule for the newly created position would be aligned with the current salary schedule for the Director of Public Works, which is around $125,000 depending on qualifications and experience according to Monday’s city council packet.
The Contingency Plan
There’s also the possibility that the city will hire an Assistant Public Works Director.
The City Council on Monday also approved the creation of an Assistant Public Works Director position although they don’t intend to fill it at this time. The city only intends to hire an Assistant PW Director if they aren’t able to recruit a candidate that has strong qualifications in all the “areas needed.”
The Assistant Public Works position will not be filled without council approval.
