Due to the City government’s operating expenses being “structurally out of balance” by $1.1 million, DeKalb City Manager, Bill Nicklas, is proposing what he calls “bold personnel changes” that will take effect on March 1, 2019, upon approval at the next City Council meeting.
According to Item 1 in the agenda for the January 28, 2019 City Council Meeting, the top management layoffs being proposed would include:
- Tim Holdeman, Public Works Director
- Jo Ellen Charlton, Community Development Director
- Marc Thorson, Information Technology Director
- Robert Miller, Assistant Finance Director
None of the laid off employees will be placed on leave or paid a severance.
In addition, the following vacancies will not be filled:
- Economic Development Planner (Jason Michnick has resigned to pursue another
position, effective February 1). - Finance Director (Molly Talkington has separated according to the agreement
approved by the Council on January 14). - Deputy Fire Chief (Deputy Chief Jim Zarek has resigned, effective February 15).
Budget Impacts
According to Nicklas, the estimated total Budget savings achieved by the layoffs would $1,105,258 in annualized personnel costs moving forward. However, “previous city
administrations bailed out the General Fund from enterprise and other funds to hide General Fund imbalances,” so annualized General Fund savings will be closer to $892,332.
In addition, because of January and February personnel costs and unpaid leave balances, the recommended layoffs in the period March 1 through December 31, 2019 will only raise $583,650.
Nicklas noted, “The following management layoffs are not disciplinary separations but are purely based on budgetary concerns. Each manager is a dedicated employee and has shown the utmost professionalism through difficult discussions leading up to these
recommendations.”
To scroll through entire agenda posted below, mouse over the document and then click on the arrows at the bottom.
DeKalbCityCouncil12819Agenda
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18 Comments
Theoretical problem … if you donât refill the finance director, and you lay-off the assistant finance director … how can you ever be sure your finances are okay to begin with? Those jobs are not ones that can be done by accounting clerks or a staff accountant. And Nicklas should know that …
Learned from Baker
Where’s all the money from all those wind turbines you put up down by me?
That’s County, not City.
I think everyone should just be patient and give it all a chance.
It is interesting that local people want change and when some type of change happens, people become critics …. DeKalb City Manager has to start some where ….
Mike, yes The public does want to change. Please archive my comment below as that endgame will happen. This is like a chess game, you have to think two steps ahead. If, indeed, these layoffs were to happen, then, I will be in total agreement with you.
But as someone who has observed the council for years, this is a strategic tactic that will cause weaker members of the council Kate N and Bill Finnicune to object to. They will insist that these cuts not be made, and that taxes go up to pay for these positions.
Mark Charvat …. Steak Dinner bet, 7 will be gone. 3 already… 2 of 4 had resumes out.
heard good and bad things bout new city manager, kinda makes me wonder if the ppl he is laying off, dont “play” his game?
Here is the endgame: none of these individuals will be laid off, none! Come March 1, the city Council will cave-in and approve a smorgasbord of tax and fee increases to save their âadministrative friendsâ
Mark Charvat … this time you are wrong ……
This time?
DeKalb County Online, this time I HOPE I am wrong. But after watching our wishy washy Mayor and aldermen for years, there are some on the council who will NOT want to eliminate these positions. The previous CM asked that the IT director be eliminated,and most of the council voted to put the IT director BACK in the budget.
Emily Henderson
Isnât the mayor retired and doesnât hold a day job? We could then make him the city manager as well as mayor and cut another job
Good! Better “city adminstrators” than police officers!
Scare tactic
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Why drop the lowest paid people? Drop s high pay person