New Changes for Orchid Lake’s City Administration
A new proposal set to appear on Orchid Lake’s November 5 ballot could bring about significant changes within the city’s management. The proposal, if approved by city voters, would mark a first in the city’s history – introducing a formal ‘city manager’ position within the administrative structure.
The City Manager Proposal
Traditionally, Orchid Lake has not had a designated city manager – an individual working specifically on the city’s day-to-day operations. Instead, the city’s administrative service needs have been handled by the position of ‘director of city services’. The holder of this role, Gerry McCallum, has been pushing for a formal change to his title, stating that he’s essentially been performing the functions of a city manager but doesn’t have the official title.
Possible Implications
So, what does this proposal mean for Orchid Lake? The proposed change would include the development of the role and responsibilities of a city manager. This position would take on certain tasks that currently require the signature of an elected official, like the mayor. Having a city manager position would also make sense to organizations that have had difficulty understanding what a ‘director of city services’ role entails.
Orchid Lake’s mayor expressed that having a city manager could lead to more practical management of the city’s affairs, leading to greater efficiency. It would even enable the manager to oversee the Police Department and sign documents that need a city manager’s approval. Furthermore, once Gerry McCallum retires, the city would find it easier to attract potential replacements for a ‘city manager’ role, a title more widely recognized and understood in the industry.
The City’s Stand
McCallum, who’s been in his position for 13 years, assured that the change doesn’t imply new taxes or changes to his salary. He also said that the city’s healthy financial situation and the need for more specific and clear roles drove the proposal. The city has been contemplating the idea of introducing an official city manager for years, and it seems like it may finally come to fruition, provided the voters approve the proposal in November.
