Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council reclassifies executive assistant position to director of communications
Summary
Council approved creating a director of communications position by reclassifying the recently vacated executive assistant role; city manager said the move supports the strategic plan goal to improve communications and will increase the fully burdened personnel cost by an estimated $33,000 worst case.
The Fountain City Council on Aug. 12 approved reclassifying an existing executive‑assistant position and creating a director of communications position to support a council priority on improved public outreach and transparency.
City Manager Mr. Trainer said the executive assistant role was vacated recently, creating an opportunity to evaluate duties and replace the position with a communications specialist who would provide centralized strategy and expertise on public information, internal communications and event outreach. Trainer said comparable communications director positions in local school districts were examples of the expertise the city seeks.
Trainer described a plan to shift some administrative duties to existing front‑desk or administrative staff and to have the communications director focus on centralized public information work. He told council the fully burdened net cost increase—salary plus benefits—would be approximately $33,000 in a worst‑case scenario. Councilmembers recommended setting measurable metrics, such as citizen satisfaction surveys, and suggested creating a baseline survey prior to hiring to measure progress.
The council voted 5–0 to authorize the reclassification. Staff said any future staffing expansions would follow council approval and city policies.
