(Mayville) Mayville’s Personnel Committee discussed the options for filling a key departmental opening at their meeting this week. The city clerk position, which had previously been held by Anastasia Gonstead, has been vacant since August 11th. It has also been difficult for Mayville to find qualified candidates to apply.
The Committee floated the idea of creating a dual role, combining the responsibilities of a clerk with a city administrator. Council President Ken Neumann says he wants to keep Mayville’s options open while noting the importance to fill the role of clerk as soon as possible.
“I think we need to get something going…there’s an election coming up…I like the idea of a dual role position for city administrator and clerk…we can figure that out and send it to council and then we can hammer that out at council,” says Neumann. “I think it’s imperative that we do action tonight. I like to keep city clerk open, keep that going and then also create the dual position.”
Alderman Joseph Tillman says it takes time to not only find someone qualified to hire but to train them as well.
“We need help right now…even if we find a clerk it takes them two months to get in here that’s too long,” says Tillman. “We need some help…one, just from a manpower standpoint…and two, there’s a lot coming up you have to know, there’s a lot of things that are going to be on city clerks plate. I think every week that we go without somebody is too long at this point.”
A motion was made, and approved, to reach out to MSA Professional Services to have them assist with the duties that typically fall under the purview of a clerk. The Committee also decided to extend the application period for city clerk another month. The full Common Council will discuss the possibility of creating a dual clerk and administrator position at their next meeting.
