Haslet council approves city administrator posting, sets $150,000–$200,000 salary range and forms screening subcommittee

The Haslet City Council on Sept. 22 approved an amended job description and directed city staff to post the position of city administrator, establishing a salary range of $150,000 to $200,000 annually to be “dependent upon experience and qualifications.” The council also voted to appoint a two-member subcommittee to identify and evaluate candidates and report back in open session.

The council’s action adds detailed qualifications and preferred credentials to the job posting that will be published in accordance with the city personnel policy. The posting will include the essential functions previously adopted in ordinance No. 016-2025 together with the additional desired education, experience and skills the council reviewed at the meeting. The posting was directed to the finance director or her designee and was set to be posted on Sept. 24, per the council motion.

Council members discussed whether to set a fixed salary or a range and whether the posting should say the position “reports to the city council and mayor.” The council confirmed the posting will include the position’s reporting relationship and that the salary would be “commensurate with qualifications and experience” as part of the posting materials. After discussion, the motion to approve the amended job posting and the salary range passed on a unanimous vote.

The council also appointed Council Member Horik and Council Member Carruthers to serve on a two-member subcommittee to identify and evaluate candidates for the city administrator position. The subcommittee was instructed to report its findings to the full governing body in open session. That appointment also passed unanimously.

Public commenters addressed the posting and the broader question of the city administrator role. Speakers expressed a range of views: some urged caution about creating a position that might alter the mayor’s statutory duties and raised concerns about added costs, while others supported posting the job and continuing the search. Several residents asked that the council clearly state reporting lines and be transparent about salary and duties in the public posting.

The council’s action is limited to creating the job posting and authorizing the search; no employment contract or final hire was made at the meeting. The newly appointed subcommittee will return to the council with recommendations in an open session.