There won't be in interim Rhinelander city administrator.
After the resignation of Keith Kost last month, Mayor Chris Frederickson and the city council have been debating whether to hire another interim administrator.
The city is in the process-- through a recruiting firm-- of hiring a permanent administrator. But a new administrator is likely not to be on board until mid-to-late summer. Frederickson says the recruiting firm--GOV HR-- has a number of retired administrators who were willing to come to Rhinelander short term.
City Attorney Carrie Miljevich detailed what an interim would cost..
. "...he's looking for $47 per hour. GOV HR then adds 40 percent on top of that...."
Things like taxes and other costs are borne by the recruiting firm as the administrator is their employee. But the council felt paying $1,600 per week for three days of work would NOT be worth it, more if it was four days, plus housing and mileage. Since the earliest an interim could be on board is June 14, and a potential start date about 60 days later of a permanent administrator, the council felt the city would be alright in the interim.
After an administrator was fired last year, the city went five months without one before Kost volunteered for the job.
Regarding the permanent administrator, Frederickson said they have five viable candidates and interviews could begin as soon as possible.
Before the meeting adjourned, Frederickson gifted former Northwood Golf Club pro Dan Buckley a golf pass. Council member Tom Kelly left the chambers, saying the matter was not on the agenda and he felt it could be an open meeting violation.
