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Council appoints Justin Barren interim city administrator and approves temporary pay plan
Summary
Mayor and council named Public Works Director Justin Barren interim city administrator and approved a six-month interim pay plan that adds $5/hour for Barren and raises department head pay; the council also directed staff to continue recruitment for a permanent administrator and finance director.
Mayor Brian Smith and council members moved to appoint Justin Barren, the city’s public works director, as interim city administrator while the council reviews the city administrator role and conducts recruitment. The council voted in favor and Mayor Smith affirmed the appointment; the roll call produced 11 'I's in favor.
Council also approved a temporary compensation plan to cover the additional duties during the transition. The plan, described by Mayor Smith and staff, provides an additional $5 per hour to Barren for serving as interim administrator and a $1 per hour increase for department heads for the six-month interim period. Finance staff stepping into added duties—Kate (surname reported in packet) and Shelley—would receive $1.00 and $0.50 per hour increases respectively. The estimated additional general fund cost for the six-month period was described as roughly $11,000, with associated employer taxes and benefits included in the calculation.
Mayor Smith and administration emphasized the interim steps are temporary and that the council will revisit the city administrator position, including job description and recruitment approach, before filling it permanently. Justin Barren begins interim duties immediately and the council expects to continue recruitment for the permanent city administrator and the finance director positions.
