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Committee approves one-year contract to retain printing division expert amid succession planning
Summary
Committee approved an emergency ordinance to contract with longtime assistant commissioner Scott Loomis to provide continuity, training and succession management in the city's print shop; council members pressed for limits and oversight on a second-year extension.
CLEVELAND — The committee approved an emergency ordinance authorizing the finance director to enter a one-year contract with Scott Loomis to provide professional services to the city’s printing and reproduction division while leadership transitions are completed.
According to the presentation, Loomis has roughly 35 years with the print shop and had indicated his intent to retire. City staff said an ethics opinion cleared rehiring him as a contractor for continuity and knowledge transfer. Director Gentile (presenting for finance) told the committee the arrangement would be cheaper for the city because the contractor will not draw city benefits and the arrangement helps train internal staff for a permanent successor.
The proposed contract term is one year with a one-year option to renew. Council members pressed staff on civil-service implications and whether a contractor should perform duties customarily exercised by an assistant commissioner. Councilman Hairston asked, "So I'm clear... he'll retire... we'll bring him back in the same capacity as assistant commissioner, but not as a city employee, but as a contractor?" Finance staff responded that the contract would allow Loomis to perform the same duties, but that he would not hold the formal civil-service title while contracted.
Several council members raised concerns about precedent and succession planning. Councilman Polensek said the city has "repeatedly failed to provide for succession" and urged systemic workforce planning. Councilman Slife and others asked for the ethics opinion and more oversight. The committee adopted an amendment requiring that any second-year extension require additional legislative authority; Councilman Bishop moved the amendment and it passed.
The ordinance, as amended, passed in committee and will proceed to the full council. The administration said internal candidates have been identified and the contractor's role is to transfer knowledge and train a successor; the one-year period is presented as a runway for promotion of internal candidates.
Speakers and the questions recorded in this article are taken directly from the committee transcript.
