Council confirms administrative code changes to add five posts, reorganize duties

Sterling Heights City Council voted May 6 to confirm an updated administrative code and plan that adds five administrative officer positions, divides several combined roles, and reflects other organizational changes in city departments.

City Manager Mark Vanderpool summarized the revisions as updates to administrative officer listings already approved and budgeted. "There are 5 new administrative officer positions that have been added over the years," Vanderpool said, naming the assistant finance and budget director, a finance manager (recruiting), deputy clerk, marketing and communications manager, and assistant city planner. He also said the former combined assistant city manager/human resources director position has been divided into separate assistant city manager and human resources director roles; and purchasing and facilities maintenance manager was divided into separate facility maintenance manager and purchasing manager roles.

Why it mattered: The changes align organizational charts with current staffing and succession planning and were presented as administrative housekeeping reflecting positions already budgeted. Council raised one objection — Councilman Yanez asked why a contractor (Luke Bonner) appears on the organization chart. Vanderpool responded the org chart is illustrative and includes some contracted roles; council discussed the matter but approved the administrative code.

Council action: Council voted to confirm the administrative code and plan effective May 6, 2025, and subsequently introduced an ordinance amendment to conform the city code. There was no opposition that prevented approval; the motions carried.

Next steps: The ordinance amending chapter 2, article 2, section 2‑19 was introduced and will proceed through the normal ordinance adoption process.