Early mayor authorized to offer clerk job at $22 an hour; librarian to accept utility payments during library hours

The Early City Council on Oct. 7 authorized Mayor William Cougill to offer the city clerk position to a candidate selected by the personnel committee, at a rate of $22.00 per hour. The mayor said he will report back to the council if the applicant accepts.

At citizen input, a resident said she had heard there was no one in the clerk's office to accept utility payments. Mayor Cougill told the meeting the concern had been addressed and that the librarian will accept utility payments while she is working during library hours.

The mayor also told the council that the State Auditor had contacted him about an 18-month matter and that water bills were late going out this month. Councilors did not set further administrative action at the meeting beyond authorizing the mayor to extend the job offer and asking staff to continue daily operations under the temporary clerk arrangement.

Procedural votes at the start and end of the meeting were recorded: the council approved the consent agenda by show of hands (Ayes: Brian Pickhinke, Brandon Scadden, Cory Tiefenthaler and Christine Madden) and later adjourned on a motion by Councilor Cory Tiefenthaler, seconded by Councilor Christine Madden; the meeting closed at 7:15 p.m.