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Council member urges delay on promoting Barry to Rockville Public Works director
Summary
The Rockville human resources committee recommended promoting Barry from the streets group to Public Works director with a pay-step jump from 2 to 6; a council member asked to table the promotion for a full-council interview and raised budget and process concerns. No final vote was recorded in the transcript.
The Rockville City Council on Thursday reviewed a human resources committee recommendation to promote Barry, a streets employee, to Public Works director and move him from pay step 2 to step 6. A council member said the promotion should be delayed so the full council can interview the candidate and evaluate budget implications.
The committee representative presented the recommendation and clarified the raise would be a step increase from 2 to 6 on the existing pay scale. When asked about timing, the representative said the suggestion was to make the change effective at the next pay cycle and that it would not be retroactive.
A council member objected to moving forward at this meeting, saying they had understood the earlier action as preparatory and not an immediate promotion. "I myself will vote no to this because I think it's too quick too soon," the council member said, adding that the council should have a chance to interview Barry if he is to assume a director-level position.
Supporters of the recommendation argued a single Public Works director would streamline operations and provide a clear point of contact and delegation for the department. One speaker summarized past practice under a previous administrator in which a Public Works director oversaw the departments and delegated tasks rather than having multiple supervisors reporting separately.
Council debate also focused on financial timing. Members asked whether the city had budgeted for a four-step increase and whether the promotion would require hiring additional staff later to handle paperwork and scheduling. The transcript records council concern that it may be premature during ongoing budget discussions.
During discussion, a motion (referred to in the record as "Jerry's motion") was moved to postpone the promotion to a time certain next month. Council members discussed what postponement would achieve, including allowing a full-council review and a formal interview with the candidate. The transcript does not record a final vote or the motionoutcome.
The council also noted an evaluation of the city administrator would occur after the meeting. The promotion recommendation will return to the council at the time certain for further consideration unless the committee amends its recommendation beforehand.
