Another example of our rogue commission UPDATED

Dear Commissioners, Manager and Solicitor,

I have been noticing a new title in our local government, "Assistant to the Manager." Where did that come from? I do not see it mentioned in the Administrative Code. http://mtlebanon.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/3862

§120 Manager The Manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the Municipality. He shall be subject to appointment and removal by the Commission. During the tenure of his appointment he shall possess and exercise the powers and duties as prescribed by the Charter. The Manager’s compensation shall be as determined by the Commission in the annual salary ordinance. During the disability or temporary absence of the Manager, the Assistant Manager shall exercise the duties and have the authority of the Manager subject to §504 of the Charter

I see Assistant Manager, but not Assistant to the Manager.

§121 Administrative Staff. The Manager, Assistant Manager, Directors and Chiefs of departments, and designated employees in charge of staff functions under the Manager, shall comprise the administrative staff of the Municipality.

I see Assistant Manager, but not Assistant to the Manager.

Why does this remind me of several episodes of The Office? Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute went round and round over that.

Who is our Assistant Manager? Who exercises the duties and have the authority of the Manager should there be a temporary absence of the Manager? Where are the duties listed for Assistant to the Manager?

Is this another example of our rogue commission?


Elaine Gillen

Update January 19, 2016 2:02 PM So our manager can appoint his temporary replacement. That sounds like a good idea.

From: Keith Mcgill <kmcgill@mtlebanon.org>
To: egillen476 <egillen476@aol.com>
Cc: Commission <commission@mtlebanon.org>; Philip Weis <philip.weis@bipc.com>
Sent: Tue, Jan 19, 2016 11:07 am
Subject: Re: Administrative Code

Good morning Ms. Gillen,

Following the retirement of Ms. Taylor as Assistant Manager/Finance Director in 2013 the decision was made by the Manager, with the input and consent of the Commission, to hire a Finance Director to perform finance functions and an Assistant to the Manager to principally perform personnel/human resource functions for the municipality.

The municipality does not currently have anyone serving in the position of Assistant Manager. Section 124 Administrative Offices gives the Manager the authority to create such administrative staff offices as may be required to administer the operations and affairs of the municipality.

Keith