FAIRFIELD, IOWA
COMMUNITY & POSITION PROFILE
Date Prepared – October 28, 2014
Apply by November 10, 2014
Contact: Patrick Callahan Callahan Municipal Consultants, LLC [email protected] 417 Kaitlynn Avenue Anamosa, IA 52205 Phone: 563-599-3708
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CITY OF FAIRFIELD, IOWA COMMUNITY PROFILE
CITY ADMINISTRATOR POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT The City of Fairfield is currently accepting applications for the position of City Administrator. Persons interested in this position should submit a cover letter, resume, five work-related references and salary history before November 10, 2014 to Callahan Municipal Consultants, LLC, 417 Kaitlynn Avenue, Anamosa, Iowa 52205 or by e-mail to [email protected]. Additional information regarding Fairfield can be obtained by visiting the City’s website at www.cityoffairfieldiowa.com, the Chamber of Commerce site at www.fairfieldiowa.com and at the Fairfield Economic Development Association’s site at www.growfairfield.com.
COMMUNITY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND AWARDS Unique. Sustainable. Wonderful. Green. Diverse. Metropolitan. Innovative. Ideal. The attributes echoed around and about Fairfield are more than just community boosterism. Fairfield’s Economic Development Association and Chamber of Commerce cite the community’s many successes as evidence of it being one of the most “philanthropic, entrepreneurial and technological small communities in the nation”. The next city administrator will have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing improvements to a city that is at the forefront of rural development in technology, advanced manufacturing, 21st century services, and community sustainability.
Fairfield was rated by the Smithsonian magazine as one of the nation’s best small towns, and has earned distinction from media as diverse as Oprah and Mother Earth News magazine. The downtown area has been designated as an Iowa Culture District. Fairfield was identified as an Iowa Great Place in 2006. The community earned the Iowa Tourism Award in 2005 and 2008. The Fairfield community is currently seeking the Iowa Blue Zone Certification.
Fairfield was recognized as the Most Entrepreneurial City in America for cities under 10,000 population in 2013. The City garnered the Iowa Entrepreneurial City Award in 2004. Smithsonian Magazine recognized Fairfield as the Number 7 “Best City in America to Visit” in 2013. In addition, Buzzfeed.com rated Fairfield as the Number 2 “Best Place to do a Road Trip.”
FAIRFIELD, IOWA: LOCATION Fairfield has a population of 9,464 residents within its corporate boundaries. It is the county seat for Jefferson County, located in southeastern Iowa at the intersection of U.S. Route 34 and Iowa Highway 1. Fairfield is 62 miles south of the University of Iowa at Iowa City, 111 miles southeast of the state capital at Des Moines, 235 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri, and 280 miles west of Chicago, Illinois. The closest airport with international service is located 80 miles north at Eastern Iowa Airport, Cedar Rapids. Fairfield also boasts an all-weather General Aviation airport having a 5,500 concrete runway. Amtrak rail service on the California Zephyr line is just 25 miles away at Mt. Pleasant (east) or Ottumwa (west). Freight rail service is provided by the BNSF railroad.
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Geographically located in the Southern Iowa drift plain, Jefferson County consists of rolling farmland, just 55 miles west of the Mississippi and the Great River Road at Burlington, Iowa. Fairfield and Jefferson County are home to some of the richest agricultural land in the world. Fairfield has an annual growing season of 165 days and receives an average of 38 inches of rain per year. Temperatures range from an average summer high/low of 85/65 F (July) to winter averages of 33/16 F (January).
FOUNDING AND HISTORY Fairfield was first settled in 1836 and founded as the county seat of Jefferson County in 1839, recording a population of 110. By 1847, Fairfield reported a population of 651 and was host to numerous businesses including dry goods, grocery, blacksmithing, woodworking and manufacturing businesses, hotels and drug stores. Fairfield was the site of the first two state fairs in Iowa, held in 1854 and 1855. The first grain mill was in operation in 1836, and the railroad (now the BNSF) extended through the community in 1858. During the time leading up to the American Civil War, Fairfield was a stop on the Underground Railroad for escaping slaves. Some 1,600 men from Jefferson County served in the Union Army during the conflict. Fairfield opened the first public library in Iowa in 1853; the first Carnegie Library built outside of Pennsylvania or Scotland was completed in 1893 in Fairfield. Parsons College was founded in 1875 and remained in operation until closing in 1975. The campus was subsequently purchased by the Transcendental Meditation leader Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for what came to be Maharishi University of Management. The City of Fairfield purchased an electric generating plant in 1882. Two Fairfield companies, Louden Machinery Company and Joel Turney and Company Wagon Works, both employed hundreds of workers by the late 1800’s, producing agricultural equipment sold across North America. Fairfield’s growth continued over its history to its present population of 9,464.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS Central Park and Town Square In the middle of the community’s historic downtown district, Fairfield’s manicured Central Park hosts live summer music concerts from the gazebo on the square and other arts and public events throughout the year.
Fairfield Arts and Convention Center Strategically located in the downtown district, the 30,000 square foot center hosts the performing and visual arts, meeting and convention activities, and is home for the 522- seat Sondheim Center’s performing arts auditorium. The Arts and Convention Center schedules live performances throughout the year, from classical solo piano and orchestral artists, to magic and comedy acts, to Elvis and Buddy Holly tribute bands.
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Carnegie Historical Museum Formerly the 1893 Carnegie Library, the building was repurposed as a local history museum following the construction of the new public library. The Carnegie Library has displays of Native American artifacts, Civil War photos and memorabilia, Parson College and other items of local historic interest.
Park and Recreation Facilities The City of Fairfield’s Park and Recreation Department operates 11 park areas, which combined include walking paths, exercise areas, a skate park, picnic facilities, playground equipment, a Farmers’ Market, and outdoor swimming in Bonnifield Lake at Waterworks Park. Most of the community’s parks are linked by the 16-mile long Fairfield Loop Trail. The Roosevelt Recreation Center features weight and cardio workout rooms, indoor pool and sauna and hot tub facilities. The Loop Trail is integrated with the JeffersonCounty Trail System, and connects with Jefferson County Park, which features eight miles of its own hiking trails, picnic and camping areas.
Abundance EcoVillage Leading edge techniques of community sustainability are on display on this 15 acre development, featuring solar and wind generation, passive heating and cooling, water and storm water management systems.
Fairfield Transcendental Meditation Center Two large golden domes located adjacent to the internationally-known Maharishi University of Management located on the north side of Fairfield, constructed in Vedic-style architecture, provide daily opportunities for Transcendental Meditation (TM) for community members and visitors. The Center practices TM as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
COMMUNITY EVENTS Fairfield Fairfest There is a three-day annual music event in late June with national and regional artists performing on the town square, the Sondheim Center and other downtown venues. The 2014 event drew some 15,000 visitors for the music, food and vendor booths.
All Things Italian This event includes Italian food, music, art and games in the town square, held annually on a Saturday in mid- June. It also includes Opera, accordions and cannoli by the thousand, magicians, jugglers and chalk artists. This family event draws thousands each year.
Picture from Facebook page: All Things Italian Street Festival
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Vintage Power Wagon Rally Week long gathering of vintage Dodge Power Wagon owners and enthusiasts during the first week in June, drawing hundreds of the iconic vehicles for demonstrations, parts and info swapping and a parade.
Art Walk Event held the first Friday of every month, with a seasonal focus on art, music, performance and holiday events are at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center, town square, and other downtown venues. Oktoberfest and German Heritage are celebrated at the October Art Walk, a juried art show in November, and a Gingerbread and Christmas lighting extravaganza in December are favorites.
Fairfield Farmer’s Market It’s an event and a local attraction. The Farmer’s Market is held at Howard Park, at the north side of the downtown district, from May through October on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
Maasdam Barns Museum and Visitor Center Located at the south side of town, the restored barns were originally home to the largest Belgian draft horse in the world. The barns were recently restored to their early 20th Century condition. The Visitor Center is a restored 1928 home with displays highlighting Fairfield-area industry.
Dining and Lodging Fairfield’s Chamber of Commerce lists 43 eating establishments in the community, from the convenience of franchised fast-food restaurants, to independent cafés and coffee houses, to formal restaurants having international menus from Italy, the Caribbean, Mexico, India, Asia and Turkey, to dining supporting organic and sustainable agriculture. Overnight accommodations can be arranged at eight different establishments, ranging from local B & B and hotel facilities, to nationally-recognized chains, to a hotel at a nationally-recognized spa setting.
Shopping From mainstream national and regional retail, to Main Street’s local specialty and artisan shops, Fairfield offers dozens of unique storefronts and art galleries in addition to many suppliers of day- to-day necessities.
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Golf Fairfield features two golf courses; Walton Lake is a nine- hole, par 34 course with significant water hazards, and Fairfield Country Club, another nine-hole course reported to be the oldest course west of the Mississippi River.
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Swimming The City Park and Recreation Department’s Roosevelt Aquatic Center offers fitness equipment and racquetball courts in addition to the six lane indoor lap pool. The City Waterworks Park offers summer swimming and beach areas on Lake Bonnifield. A new outdoor pool is under construction and is slated to open in 2015.
Fitness Parks, community facilities and neighborhoods are linked by the 16 miles of limestone chip and paved trails of the Fairfield Loop trails network.
Culture Recent-release, independent and foreign films can be seen at the remodeled Orpheum Theater. The Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center provides a full schedule of regional and national live performances throughout the year. The Center is also host to one of Fairfield’s several art galleries.
FAIRFIELD PARTNERS Chamber of Commerce Established and committed to community service, the Chamber and its 350 members host some 60 events and dozens of gatherings each year, and are a collaborative partner with the City and the Fairfield Economic Development Association.
Fairfield Economic Development Association Fairfield Economic Development Association (FEDA) is a resource to market, advocate, and illuminate the entrepreneurial environment for the improvement of the Fairfield business community; and, to collaboratively facilitate communications between business, local government and the education community for the betterment of Fairfield. FEDA has initiated programs for business advantages, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and critical infrastructure improvements.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT The City of Fairfield is the “entrepreneurial capital of Iowa”, according to Governor Terry Branstad due to the $1 billion in new capital from IPO’s, mergers and acquisitions of Fairfield businesses. One-third of all venture capital invested in Iowa has been invested in Fairfield. Fairfield has been nicknamed Silicorn Valley for its extraordinary level of entrepreneurial activity. Numerous Fairfield employers are cited as Best Places to Work.
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Fairfield Employers Name Product/Service No. of employees Dexter Laundry Commercial laundry products and gray iron castings 180 Fairfield Aluminum Casting Co. Aluminum casting 150 Agri-Industrial Plastics Agricultural and Industrial blow molded products 136 Hawthorne Communications Information services 30 Creative Edge Mosaic Glass 45 Jefferson County Community Services 90 Fairfield Community School District Education 266 Jefferson County Hospital Medical 150 City of Fairfield Municipal Services 70 Maharishi International University Education 200 Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Financial Services 600
Other major employers in Fairfield with more than 40 employees include: Cequent Consumer Products First National Bank French-Reneker and Associates Hy-Vee Food Store H&H Molding and Tool Iowa State Bank Jefferson County Health Center LISCO Libertyville Savings Bank Ideal Energy Schaus-Vorhies Companies Traffix Devices Sunny Brook Companies Wal-Mart
Additional information on Fairfield’s remarkable, sustainable business climate can be found at the Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association at www.fairfieldiowa.biz.
Fairfield Health Care Facilities Jefferson County Health Center moved into a new state-of-the-art, 123,000 square foot facility on the south side of Fairfield in April, 2009, which was expanded in 2013. The building itself was built to Health Care Green Guide standards for sustainability. The Health Center was named as one of the top 100 best places to work in Iowa by the Des Moines Register. The Center has an in-patient capacity of 25 beds, lists 44 physicians, and has three medical clinics and a dialysis center on site. Jefferson County Health Center also provides clinics and services for eye care, cardiac rehab, oncology, occupational and physical therapy, pulmonary rehab, sleep lab and speech therapy. Much additional information can be found at www.jeffersoncountyhealthcenter.org.
PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS Fairfield Community School District has an enrollment of approximately 1,800 students in the community’s high school, middle school, and three elementary schools with 285 full- and part- time staff.
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School Grades Enrollment High School 9 – 12 541 Middle School 5 – 8 506 Washington Elementary PK – 4 262 Pence Elementary PK – 4 305 Libertyville Elementary K – 4 101 Home school students K – 12 57
The Community School District utilizes the FAST Early Literacy program, CANVAS Learning Management System, and Project Lead the Way as a nationally certified STEM school. Advance Placement classes are available in computer science, calculus, English and government, and last year 257 students earned college credits before graduation. Fairfield Schools boast award- winning co-curricular, fine arts and athletic programs. The District’s composite ACT score is 24. For further information, see www.fairfieldsfuture.org .
Maharishi School for the Age of Enlightenment is a private PK – 12 school founded on the principles of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, offering Consciousness-based Education ™, a scientifically-quantified system of learning. Consciousness-based Education attends to the “inner genius of every student, developing full, creative intelligence for a happy, healthy, productive life.” The Upper School grades score is in the top 1% of the nation on standardized tests, and have over ten times the nationwide average of National Merit Scholar finalists. The school is located on the main campus of the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield. See also www.maharishischooliowa.org for more information.
Maharishi School for the Age of Enlightenment Founded in 1971 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and relocated to Fairfield from Santa Barbara California in 1974, the University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has over 900 students enrolled. Maharishi University of Management focuses on Consciousness-based Education using Transcendental Meditation techniques to instruct students in degree programs in the arts, sciences, business and the humanities. The University is located on the site of the former Parsons College campus in Fairfield. The attractive campus shows thought to ancient Vedic principles of architecture and living. Their informative website is at www.mum.edu.
CITY GOVERNMENT The City of Fairfield has a Mayor-Council form of government with an appointed City Administrator. The Mayor is elected for two-year terms; the seven members of the City Council are elected for staggered four-year terms. Each of the five wards are represented by a Council member; two Council members are elected at-large. The City Council appoints the City Clerk and City Attorney.
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Fairfield is served by the following boards, commissions, and committee:
Airport Committee Beautification Commission Civic Center Board Art Walk Committee Public Access TV Committee Historical Museum Board Historic Preservation Commission Library Board Animal Control Board Tree Enhancement Board Civil Service Commission CVB Board Economic Development Committee Environmental and Franchise Utilities Committee Parks and Recreation Board Personnel Committee Zoning Board of Adjustment Planning and Zoning Commission Property Committee Public Safety and Transportation Committee Water Sewer Committee Ways and Means Committee
The City of Fairfield employs 70 full-time employees and 33 part-time or temporary staff. The General Fund’s annual operating budget for FY 2014/15 is $7.7 million; the combined budgets for the Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund budgets are $5.7 million; and the Garbage Enterprise Fund budget is $600,000. The City’s total property tax levy for FY 2014 - 15 is $17.49 per $1,000 of taxable valuation levied against a regular tax base of $295.4 million.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES Police Department Fairfield Police Department provides full-time, 24/7 police protection with 14 full-time sworn officers, including the Chief of Police. The Chief is appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the City Council. The Department has three marked squad cars, one K-9 car, and two unmarked units. The Police Department’s FY 2015 budget is $2.5 Million. They share office and headquarter facilities with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
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Fire Department The Fairfield Fire Department has 4 full-time professional fire fighters including the Chief and 3 full-time driver/fire fighters, and 15 part-time fire fighters who respond on an on-call basis. All members of the Department are certified as Firefighter II, as well as having haz mat, confined space and water rescue certifications. The Department’s equipment includes two pumper trucks, a 3,000 gallon tanker, an 85’ aerial platform truck, a 250 gallon brush fire truck and a Yamaha Grizzly ATV set up for brush fire and off-road rescues. Additionally, the Department has a 16’ Jon boat for water rescue, a Chief’s vehicle, and a 32’ fire safety training trailer used for their elementary school awareness program. The fire station was constructed in 1972 and also provides office space for the Johnson County Public Health Nurse. The Department responds to an average of 300 calls per year. Emergency medical service is provided by Midwest Ambulance of Iowa. The Fire Department also carries out code enforcement, conducts rental and safety inspections and planning and zoning review. They have maintained an “Adopt a Fire Fighter” program in concert with their monthly safety presentations to Fairfield second graders for the past 18 years. The Fairfield Fire Department’s annual operating budget is $430,000.
Public Library Originally founded in 1853 as the first public library west of the Mississippi, and subsequently the first Carnegie library building constructed outside Pennsylvania, the Fairfield Public Library continues as a key contributor to the community in its new 21,000 square foot facility built in 1996. The library offers over 100 services such as e-books online, Wi-Fi internet access, computer access and classes in addition to circulating 100,000 titles from their stacks. The Fairfield Library has the highest lending circulation per capita for Iowa towns of similar size. Uniquely, the Library is also a lending “library” for organic heirloom plant seeds. The Library is also a Grant Center, in cooperation with the Foundation Center in New York City as a resource for national and international foundations that provide grants for communities, groups and individuals. The Library’s annual operating budget is $477,000 for FY 2015, and the facility is staffed by 9 full-time equivalent employees, including the Librarian.
Public Works Department Public Works employs eight full-time employees responsible for street cleaning and maintenance of some 62 miles of paved streets, storm water control systems, brush pickup, seasonal decorations and equipment maintenance. They also assist with code enforcement in property maintenance cases. Their operating budget for FY 2015 is $922,000.
Parks and Recreation The Parks and Recreation budget for FY 15 is $1.17 million, and the department is staffed with six full-time and twenty-three part-time employees. They maintain ten city parks, the Roosevelt Recreation Complex, an indoor lap, diving and shallow exercise pool, and the Fairfield Loop Trail system (cooperatively with Jefferson County). The City’s outdoor pool was closed in 2011. A new outdoor pool is under construction and slated to open in 2015. The Parks and Recreation
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Department also schedules recreational sports, fitness activities, swimming lessons and other pool activities.
Water Department The Water Department maintains approximately 60 miles of water main providing service to some 4,600 households and Fairfield businesses. The Fairfield Water Department also sells water to the neighboring cities of Birmingham, Libertyville and Lockridge and to the Jefferson County Rural Water District. There are 1,250,000 gallons of elevated storage and another million gallons of underground storage, pumped from three wells set in the Jordan aquifer. Water is treated with a lime softening process at the treatment plant in Waterworks Park. The department has eleven full time employees and the FY 2015 operating budget is $2.75 million.
Wastewater / Sewage Treatment Fairfield operates an activated sludge treatment facility that processes three million gallons of wastewater per day. The Department employs eight full-time operators and one part-time staff person, who have specific crew assignments, including sewer cleaning, construction, lab, camera, and operations. The Department performs all of its wastewater testing in-house, and conducts tests for other municipalities as a fee-based service as well. The 1960’s treatment plant had its most recent update in 2011. However, the city is taking a $15 million upgrade to bid in December 2014 to bring the facility back up to required standards. Additionally, the Department has plans and specifications ready for bid for a $30 million sewer collection system upgrade. These plans involve significant new and replacement mains, and are in part in response to a DNR/EPA consent order to eliminate sanitary sewer overflows. The Wastewater Department’s FY 2015 operating budget is $2.93 million.
Municipal Airport Fairfield Municipal Airport (FFL) is located three miles northwest of the central business district. The airport is an all-weather facility, whose principal runway is 5,500 feet long and has a weight capacity of 45,000 pounds. It is a full-service airport with a fixed-base operator (FBO), offering fuel, aircraft service, hangar rental and tie-down service. It averages over 6,500 landings and takeoffs per year. Over the past 20 years, the airport has had $12 million in capital improvements completed, funded largely by grants. The maintenance and terminal buildings are slated for an $800,000 replacement in 2015. The airport’s FBO operations are contracted with the City. The FY 2014 budget was $198,000.
City Hall / Administration The Fairfield City Hall is located at 118 South Main Street. The five full time employees at City Hall are responsible for the preparation and monitoring of the annual city budget, the payment of city expenses, collection of revenues, website updates, payroll, issuance of liquor and cigarette
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THE POSITION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR Duties and Responsibilities The City Administrator is appointed by the City Council and is responsible to the Council for the administration of municipal operations. A summary of the duties and responsibilities included:
Supervise the enforcement of city laws and assure that resolutions, ordinances, laws and council directives are enforced and executed or referred to the proper official for compliance.
Attend meetings of the city council, unless excused by the mayor or council.
Recommend to the council measures necessary or expedient for good government and the welfare of the city.
Prepare city budgets in accordance with Iowa finance rules and requirements.
Provide general supervision and directions for the administration of city government to expedite the efficient administration of city’s business.
Provide supervision for the following city departments – administrative offices, office of city clerk, street department, public works department, water department, wastewater department, fire department, planning department, airport, park and recreation department, housing authority; public access TV (FPAC).
Cooperate with, advise, and assist the police department.
Cooperate with, advise, and assist the public library board, parks and recreation board, housing authority board, public access TV board, civil service commission, planning and zoning commission and board of adjustment, museum board, historic preservation commission and any present or future administrative agencies, boards or commission.
Supervise and coordinate the performance of contracts for work to be done for the city and the purchases of material and supplies, ensure that material and supplies are received and are of the quality and specification called for by the contract, and consult with department heads with reference to said contracts.
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Coordinate with the city clerk and keep the council fully informed of city conditions, finances, budgets, background information, and future needs.
Compile and maintain current and up-to-date information regarding all funding sources of the city, including state and federal grant and loan programs.
Develop, prepare, and submit plans, applications for grants, loans and other funding sources and administer all such funding.
Advise the council on participation in programs and policies with other governmental subdivisions.
Recommend and participate in projects and endeavors to support and promote economic growth and development in the city.
Participate in public relations and public information activities and programs to keep the public informed through speeches, attending meetings and functions of organizations existing for community betterment and provided city-related information to the media.
Obtain specialized and professional services deemed necessary by the council.
In conjunction with department heads, oversee the review, evaluation and interview of applicants for city employment and make recommendations to the council for approval and recommend to the council the employment, promotion, or reclassification of city employees.
Discipline employees in a manner consistent with the personnel policy manual, state law, and city ordinances.
Coordinate and implement a comprehensive safety and training plan, ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal regulations.
Formulate and recommend employment and personnel policies, compensation schedules and benefits for the approval of the council.
Represent the city, in all negotiations and relations with employees, contractors, consultants, other governmental units, and civic organizations.
Assist and supervise the city clerk in regard to the issuance of all licenses and permits.
Administer or assist in administering orders to abate citied nuisances.
Assume responsibility, in conjunction with the city clerk, for the maintenance of accurate and current records of all affairs of the city.
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Assist the mayor, city council and all department heads in preparing the annual budget.
Supervise the management of all buildings, structures, land machinery, appliances, and supplies.
Designate one or more city employees to discharge the duties of the office of city administrator, when the city administrator is absent from the position.
Perform other duties as the mayor or city council may direct, or as designated in Chapter 2.10 of the Fairfield Code of Ordinances.
Background and Experience Candidates for the position of City Administrator should have a minimum of five years’ experience in a public sector management position. A four year degree is required. Qualified candidates should possess:
Excellent supervisory skills and the ability to motivate and lead city employees.
Solid budget preparation, accounting, and administration skills.
Excellent communication skills with elected officials, city employees and citizens.
Knowledge and experience in water and sewer utility operations.
Experience in public works projects management and administration, including street maintenance programs, water projects and sanitary sewer/wastewater improvements.
Knowledge and understanding of economic development activities and programs.
Knowledge of municipal financing techniques, particularly Tax Increment financing (TIF).
History of working with Boards and Commission.
The ability to have a cordial and respectful working relationship with other City officials, employees, community groups, and the general public.
A master’s degree is preferred, but not required.
Be able to assist the Mayor and City Council with developing a long term vision for the community.
An ICMA credentialed manager is preferred, but not required.
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Management Style and Personality Traits The City is seeking candidates with the following management style attributes:
A person who is a strong leader and willing to “lead by example.”
A leader who can delegate and not micro manage department heads.
A supervisor who will solicit input, make an informed decision, and then standby that decision.
Be open minded and willing to consider other points of view.
Ability to bring employees together and coordinate the activities of City operations.
A leader who will empower employees with a team approach.
Be comfortable making public presentations.
Possess the wisdom and ability to follow through on promises and commitments.
A leader who will strive for a collaborative approach and keep department heads informed with regular staff meetings.
A leader who will work to earn peoples’ trust and respect.
The City is seeking candidates with the following personality traits and strengths:
Personable, outgoing and approachable.
Ethical in all dealings and trustworthy and has integrity both on and off the job.
Possess a sense of humor
Ability to remain calm, professional, and tactful in all settings.
Possess the drive and energy to lead the city
Possess the self-confidence required to make decisions.
Willingness to be involved in community activities and be “visible both on and off the job,”
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Friendly and attentive with all types of people and a good listener.
Be able to maintain a balanced perspective in dealing with the challenges of the position.
Someone who is organized, prepared, and articulate.
Future City Projects and Priorities The next city administrator will be expected to guide and assist the city with the following projects, studies and initiatives:
1. Completion of the wastewater treatment plant renovation project.
2. Completion of the new municipal swimming pool project.
3. Completion of the City’s new recreation center.
4. Develop a plan for the replacement of water mains.
5. Implement the sanitary sewer system repair and replacement program.
6. Development of a street repair and improvement program.
7. Completion of the Airport Terminal Building
8. Completion of the Comprehensive Plan
9. Update the City Code, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulation Ordinance.
10. Preparation of a City Equipment Replacement Plan for all Departments.
11. Development of a Storm Water Utility Ordinance and Fee.
12. Update the City’s sanitary sewer system and water system maps.
13. Update the City’s Employee Personnel Manual.
14. Modify and Enhance the City’s Budget Preparation Process
15. Review and modify the City’s Overall Financial Policies
16. Review and Analyze the City’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts.
17. Develop a Plan to Prepare the City for the upcoming retirements of some city employees
18. Research ways to address the City’s needs for affordable housing.
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19. Implementation of the Downtown Façade Restoration Project in 2015
20. Oversight of the 2015 CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program
21. Assist with the sale of the Logan Apartments
ANNOUNCEMENT/ADVERTISEMENT City Administrator, Fairfield, Iowa. (Population 9,464). Progressive community in southeast Iowa is seeking an energetic leader for the position of city administrator. Salary range is $90,000 to $110,000, depending upon qualifications with full range of benefits. The city administrator directly oversees all municipal departments, including public works, police, fire, water, wastewater, parks & recreation, building, zoning, finance, and cemetery, which includes 70 full time employees and an annual operating budget of $14.9 million. The city administrator is also responsible for supervision of contracts, oversight of city property, management of capital improvement projects, and keeping the seven member city council and mayor fully advised of the city’s financial condition and overall future needs. Qualifications include a college degree in public or business administration or related field and 5 year’s experience in a public sector management position. A master’s degree in public administration is preferred, but not required. Residency requirement is in effect. Potential candidates can view a community/position profile on the City’s website (www.cityoffairfield iowa.com) after it has been posted on October 28th . Application materials requested include a cover letter, resume, salary history, and five work related references. Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled with the first review of applications on November 10, 2014. Confidential applications should be sent to Patrick Callahan, c/o Callahan Municipal Consultants, LLC 417 Kaitlynn Avenue, Anamosa, Iowa 52205 or send to [email protected].
TENTATIVE TIME TABLE FOR SEARCH PROCESS It is the City’s intent to conclude the search process as expediently as possible with the goal of offering the position to a candidate by December 8th. Therefore, candidates are urged to tentatively mark the following dates on their schedules:
1. Deadline for applications………………………………….. November 10
2. Telephone interviews of selected candidates……………… November 20
3. Selection of finalists for the position…………………….. November 21
4. Candidates’ day to tour the community, and meet City Employees, Mayor, and Council Members………………… December 5
5. City Council conducts interviews of candidates………….. December 6
6. Position is offered to the selected candidate……………… December 8
7. Proposed starting date of employment, if mutually agreeable………………………………………………….. January 1
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