Politics & Government
Mayor Makes Argument for Assistant Administrator Post
Mayor David Held asked North Canton City Council members Monday night to consider an assistant city administrator position
Former Police Chief Michael Grimes , and since then, it’s been clear there’s enough work for him to keep two people busy, said Monday night.
Held asked the North Canton City Council to then consider an assistant city administrator position that would help reduce some of the duties of Grimes, who Held said is often stuck manning phone lines inside City Hall rather than doing the work in his job description.
“He’s made it clear to me, ‘If you want me to pursue these other projects, you’ve got to give me the support that I need,’” Held said.
The position would pay $60,000 and would replace a permits and inspection position that has been vacant since the beginning of the year. The plan is for Economic Development Director Eric Bowles to continue pulling double duty as he also handles permits and inspections, Held said. The city has not had to pay anyone to do permits and inspections.
He said having an assistant to the administrator also will put the city in a better position to one day replace Grimes. It was a move the city made with the finance department (adding an assistant finance director), and it’s proved successful so far.
The assistant city administrator would also focus on water and sanitary sewer issues. Much of Grimes’ time recently has been spent handling issues associated with the and , and that’s something the new hire would take on.
Held said city officials also have been talking about conducting an energy audit but haven’t had the personnel to head it.
Council members appeared to be for it and advised Held come up with specific roles for the administrator and the assistant administrator and report back.
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