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Harrisville adopts ordinance to recombine public works and parks departments
Summary
Ordinance 567 passed to merge the public works and parks-and-recreation functions under one director position; council discussed potential cost savings and hiring process but no new salary was set.
The Harrisville City Council adopted Ordinance 567 to reorganize city departments, combining the public works and parks and recreation responsibilities under a single director.
City staff told the council the change would consolidate administrative responsibility and could produce cost savings depending on how the combined director position is filled and whether one director can cover both portfolios. Staff said the public works director salary currently set by the city is roughly $40,000 lower than market estimates for a standalone, highly qualified public works director, which factored into the consolidation proposal.
According to staff, the city code previously laid out four separate departments; the ordinance reduces that structure to three departments and merges the responsibilities of public works and parks and recreation. Staff noted the departments had been combined historically until a 2014 change separated them.
Council members asked about personnel effects and said they wanted to protect staff. Staff responded the ordinance does not by itself change personnel appointments and that the goal would be to post the combined director position internally first and, if necessary, externally. Staff described a hiring process that would use an external panel of interviewers and include a human resources representative (Jill or Brody) to ensure appropriate procedures.
A motion to adopt Ordinance 567 was made and seconded; the council then called the roll. Council member Jackson, Council member Wise, Council member Woodlinson, Council member Faucet and Council member Christiansen each voted "Yes." The mayor announced the motion carried.
Staff said no specific salary for the combined director had been set and that wage study analysis is ongoing; the ordinance simply amends the code to allow the merged department structure.
