City council to consider hiring administrator tonight
On the agenda
By Tracy Overstreet
tracy.overstreet@theindependent.com
City Council President Bob Meyer thinks the mayor has a strong city administrator finalist in Jeff Pederson.
Mayor Margaret Hornady has recommended the city hire Pederson, the former city administrator of Dodge City, Kan. The city council is to authorize the hire during a 7 p.m. council meeting Tuesday.
If approved, Pederson would start the job the week of Sept. 17.
"I think he was very good," Meyer said of Pederson after an Aug. 21 interview by the council.
During that interview, Meyer said, he completed the same type of evaluation form that he used during interviews that led to the hiring of former city administrator Gary Greer.
"Mr. Greer and Mr. Pederson graded almost identical," Meyer said. "I was pleased with Mr. Pederson."
Although Greer voluntarily left the city in February, he was paid a controversial $60,000 severance package. Meyer said Grand Island taxpayers shouldn't fear the same thing happening with Pederson. It was just a contract wording fluke with Greer, Meyer said.
Meyer was impressed with Pederson's strong convictions. When asked about accomplishments, Pederson cited things accomplished as a team and also commented on failed initiatives that resulted in a learning experience, Meyer said.
Pederson's answers to questions were also consistent and on target the answers didn't stray and wander as they did with other finalists for the city administrator job, Meyer said.
"He has good vision and ideas to take the city forward," Meyer said of Pederson.
Meyer believes the city needs to focus on infrastructure and extending services such as water and sewer to new subdivisions. He thinks Pederson can help with that effort despite the limited resources the city has.
An employment letter sent to Pederson by Hornady offers a starting salary of $105,923, which will increase to $109,630 on Oct. 1 when the city's updated salary ordinance goes into effect.