SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - Monday evening saw the Sheboygan Common Council discuss what to do with the city’s Chief Administrative Officer, knowing that Jim Amodeo will be retiring within the next year.
Some wanted to see the position eliminated as a cost saving measure, but the majority of alderpersons wanted the position to stick around.
That means the city will soon begin looking for Amodeo’s replacement. He tells WHBL News whoever get hires will have plenty of responsibilities. "From human resource issues all the way up to looking at new business opportunities in the city. I follow the policy decisions made by council. I report to council and give updates on current events. And I hopefully put together a balanced budget. I do a strategic plan for three years, and put together a five year capital plan for city requirements."
Council President Don Hammond put it in other terms. "It’s almost like a chief operating officer of a company."
Hammond was one who voiced strong support for the position, having worked with Amodeo on a number of city matters. He says the city has seen its focus improve since creating the position and improved processes for budget and capital improvement plans.
With Amodeo's retirement coming by August of next year at the latest, Hammond says a national search for his replacement will get underway. He says it should not be that hard to find a new person that will serve the city well. "I suspect this is a very desirable job. We’re a town of about 50-thousand people. We are now in a very good place, can’t always say that, from a reserve standpoint or a budget standpoint. So I think we’ll get a lot of good candidates for the position."
Hammond adds it would be desirable to hire a person several months before Amodeo retires to ensure a smooth transition.
The City Administrator position was a topic of discussion during WHBL's latest "A Closer Look" program. Find out more about the position by clicking here.
