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Personnel Committee recommends City Council approve new HR Specialist position
Summary
The Personnel Committee voted unanimously to recommend City Council authorize a full‑time HR Specialist to centralize hiring and onboarding duties, proposing a salary range with total annual costs near $100,000 and a 66/34 cost split with ZBPW.
Mayor Klynstra convened the Personnel Committee on July 29, where City Manager Klunder outlined a proposal to establish a full‑time HR Specialist to move human resources administrative duties out of the Clerk's Office and into a dedicated role shared with ZBPW.
Klunder said the Clerk's Office is handling expanded election responsibilities, the clerk is on extended medical leave and the Deputy Clerk is no longer with the city, and staff identified a need for a dedicated HR position to handle vacancies, oversee hiring, contact applicants, run interviews and manage onboarding. Klunder added that cemetery administrative duties have been shifted to Administrative Assistant Susan Moore because of her regular work with cemeteries and parks.
Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Plockmeyer told the committee staff consulted Kurt Wassink at HR Solutions about best practices and staffing benchmarks; the proposed pay scale centers on a median salary of $63,878 (with a minimum just over $51,000 and a maximum of $76,000). Plockmeyer said total compensation, including benefits, would be "close to $100,000 per year." Staff proposed a 66% city / 34% ZBPW cost split based on full‑time equivalent positions across the organizations. Klunder said, if Council approves the position, staff would work with HR Solutions on recruitment and expect a 4–6 week hiring timeline.
BPW General Manager Boatright expressed support, saying improved consistency and professionalism in recruitment and onboarding practices were priorities. BPW Chair Boerman asked whether the position would be involved with union negotiations; Klunder said the person would likely be familiar with contracts even if not the negotiator.
Mayor ProTem Gruppen moved, and BPW Vice Chair Cooney seconded, a motion recommending that City Council approve establishment of the HR Specialist position. All present voted aye and the motion passed.
The committee's recommendation now goes to City Council for final approval; staff indicated the role was not yet in the adopted budget but anticipated savings from reducing the Deputy Clerk to part‑time.
