Council hears roles and expectations for incoming city administrator; finance director nominee introduced

Cleveland Heights councilors discussed the expected role of the mayor's nominee for city administrator, Daniel Horrigan, and received an introductory appearance by the mayor's nominee for finance director, Rodney G. Kersten, during the Jan. 6 meeting.

The council held a confirmation-related discussion for Daniel Horrigan after the administration submitted his name; council members asked whether the city administrator position would be defined as a chief operating officer, chief of staff, or a different management role. The mayor said the charter defines the office'and that the city administrator would "help an elected mayor to provide organizational leadership and management, that make sure that things get done, the right way and according to the right timelines." The mayor added plans for an organizational review and said he would work with the nominee, department directors and chiefs to shape the administrator's responsibilities.

Council members pressed for clarity about whether the administrator would supervise specific departments and whether the org chart would change. The mayor said the org chart "will likely change" and that he and the nominee would solicit input from directors and chiefs to design the role with appropriate buy-in. Members asked for updates on the rollout and said they were pleased the start of the administration's term allows time to shape the position at the beginning of the year.

Separately, the mayor introduced Rodney G. Kersten as the nominee for director of finance. The mayor said Kersten would observe committee and council meetings while the council arranges a confirmation hearing. The item was presented as a first reading: "First reading only. This is, 925 22025, a resolution approving the mayor's appointment of Rodney G. Kersten as the director of finance," the mayor said during the meeting. Councilors asked for a confirmation hearing in the off week prior to the next council meeting and indicated they expect a formal conversation before a second reading.

A recurring personnel question concerned the organizational location of human resources. The council and mayor described the city's HR function as a program historically housed under other offices (city manager's office, then mayor's office) rather than as a standalone department. The mayor said HR has been "a function of the Department of Finance" in recent years with an assistant director of HR reporting to the finance director; he also said the administrator and incoming finance director will review whether that placement continues to be the best fit.

Why it matters: council members said they want a clear written description of the city administrator's duties before confirmation so they can evaluate the nominee against council expectations for oversight, finance, and continuity in departmental leadership. Councilors also requested a scheduling plan for a confirmation hearing for the finance director nominee.

Next steps: councilors asked the administration to schedule a confirmation hearing in the coming off-week and to return with a written description of the administrator's responsibilities and any proposed organizational changes. No confirmations or final votes occurred on Jan. 6.