By Jessica Edwards
The Haines Borough this week approved another month-long contract with
interim manager Bob Ward after top manager candidate Michael Whitaker of Billings, Mont.,
declined the job Friday, and second choice John Stein took a position in Sitka.
Mayor Fred Shields Monday said former City of Skagway manager Ward
would return to Haines Aug. 1 for a second 30-day contract.
As he was in June, Ward will be paid $9,000 plus airfare. The rate
would be equal to $108,000 a year, the cost of the borough manager position salary plus
benefits in the fiscal year 2009 budget.
The manager job will be re-advertised as soon as possible, according to
borough clerk and acting manager Julie Cozzi, but the borough may have to consider new
venues for advertising.
The first advertisement for manager was filed with the Alaska Municipal
League and posted on the borough’s website, as well as listed in help wanted sections
of the Anchorage Daily News and the Juneau Empire, and the classified section of the
Chilkat Valley News.
"We might have to widen the scope since this is the second
round," she said, adding that running classifieds in the big papers cost thousands.
"It’s incredibly expensive to advertise."
Assembly member Doug Olerud said although it was important to get a new
manager as soon as possible, he felt borough projects were still moving forward.
"Julie and Jila have been doing a great job" fulfilling
manager duties, he said. "With the department heads we have, stuff is getting
done."
But getting a new manager hired would relieve staff from oversight
duties, facilitate coordination between departments, and initiate planning of future
projects, he said. "We want to hurry up and get a manager hired."
