Greater Greenfield seeks city buy-in for city manager position

Greater Greenfield Community Foundation (GGCF) sought city buy-in on a proposal during the Tuesday, Feb. 25 city council meeting that Greenfield hire a city manager, fully funded by the foundation for two years.

The GGCF wanted two council representatives picked out that night for a steering committee that could begin looking at the position, but they were asked to wait until next council meeting. The council did give unofficial consent to exploring the position further.

The position being added would not result in anybody else losing their job. The city manager would work in partnership with existing leaders and employees.

“The May 21, 2024 tornado has forever changed our community. While Greenfield has made significant strides in immediate recovery, the long-term rebuilding process will take years of strategic planning, grant acquisition and economic revitalization,” GGCF board member Bill Mather said.

Adding a city manager could strengthen disaster recovery and grant opportunities. It could enhance efficiency and support city leadership, Mather said. Hiring a city manager could strengthen the leadership capacity of the town and enhance operational efficiency.

A city manager could lessen the burden of administrative tasks, increase governement responsiveness and facilitate collaboration between departments. In addition to coordinating long-term recovery efforts, it could maximize grant potential and grow stronger partnerships between agencies such as FEMA and private-sector recovery partners.

The position would also have a planning aspect, helping Greenfield to prepare for future challenges and succession planning.

“Greenfield, like many rural communities, faces potential budget constraints and workforce reductions in the coming years. Establishing a city manager ensures continuity in leadership and position as to manage future fiscal challenges,” Mather said, adding a city manager would build internal leadership by mentoring and developing existing employees and play a role in crisis preparedness, focusing on anticipating and mitigating future challenges ahead of time, rather than the city being solely reactive.

GGCF wants this position to be posted and filled by May 21 — the one-year anniversary of the tornado.

“Greater Greenfield Community Foundation is eager to collaborate with city leadership to ensure a smooth, transparent and strategic implementation process,” Mather said. “We welcome the opportunity to discuss this proposal further and appreciate your thoughtful consideration.”

City Clerk Laura Benton said that because an action item wasn’t on the agenda, no action could be taken on the spot, which is why consensus was given instead.

Council member Brian Fox asked Benton if the conversation was “stepping on her toes.” She said her title for two decades in Guthrie Center was city administrator. With three projects remaining to do, tasks relating to FEMA funding are nearly complete. In her opinion, it could have been better to look at doing this shortly after the tornado. The city will be “behind the 8-ball” by doing it at this point, she said.

“Of course, the question becomes can you fund it after two years? With our current revenue streams, the answer is no. But, if they can come up with revenue,” Benton said.

Mather said that communities who hire city managers eventually realize the position pays for itself because of the nature of the job. City managers hone in on finding savings and new revenue for the town. He said that instead, the question should be whether the city can afford not to pursue a city manager.

Council member Jeff Clayton asked if there are people out there looking for positions like these. GGCF representatives said there likely are, but specifics aren’t known at this time.

“Sometimes, if they’re not qualified, it takes more from the person having to train them,” Clayton said.

GGCF representatives Michelle Carns and Scott Tonderum each said prospective city managers are out there, and they’ve gone to college to do the work.

GGCF member Jennifer Garside said towns as small as Lenox have a city administrator. So does Stuart, which has a population more comparable to Greenfield. It was noted that in many of these cities, city managers oversee the city and utilities. Benton said that was the case in Guthrie Center.

Council member Rita Eble had the opinion that exploring a city manager could allow the city to take burdens off of the city clerk. When Eble began working at Southern Iowa Council of Governments earlier in her career, she said the agency did very little work in Adair County. She thinks that could have looked differently if Greenfield would have had a city manager who is focused on optimizing funding and other functions.

“I think if you have somebody who can dedicate their time to help look at what’s available, since we have the opportunity to have one for two years, we could always evaluate that at that time,” Eble said.

“If it isn’t working you can get rid of them, but if it is working and we can keep it going, that would be alright too,” Fox said.

Clayton said he’s willing to try it to see if it would benefit the community, since the council was given the proposal.

“There’s very little risk,” Carns said. “Not to be too dramatic, but if it works out, it makes you guys look like heroes.”