Council extends Garrett's contract for an additional year
Council extends Garrett's contract for an additional year
Eric Clark
News Editor
After a 30-minute executive session to discuss personnel, the Hillsboro city council decided Tuesday night to extend city administrator Steve Garrett's contract for an additional year.
According to Mayor Delores Dalke, while in executive session, the council discussed Garrett's job performance in lieu of his annual review.
The extension on Garrett's salary will increase by 1.6 percent for cost of living adjustments, and in addition, will include a 3.4 percent merit increase.
Mayor Delores Dalke said extending Garrett's contract was imperative for the city.
"I feel like Steve is doing a good job for us," Dalke said. "When we hired him, we were wanting to make our city government more professional. We've been really fortunate to have Mr. Garrett.
"The fact that we'll be able to keep him for another year is great. From my time as mayor, the difference that he's made has been remarkable."
Later in the meeting, Mayor Dalke signed an addendum to the city administrator's contract.
In other business, Garrett told the council that he and Matt Hiebert attended league meetings in Topeka.
Garrett said he and Hiebert picked up information at the event about Berback Aquatics, a company that specializes in the construction of swimming pools.
"They have a pretty good reputation," Hiebert said. "They have some pretty stout credentials."
According to Garrett, the company has constructed pools in the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin, and has done several city pools.
After poling the council about the desire for additional information about the company, Garrett said he would look into the company further and present information about the company at a latter date.
Garrett also informed the council that he plans to sign a 60-90 day agreement with Kansas Wind Power and the city of Russell for a feasibility study of wind-generated power. The city of Russell is exploring alternative energy options and needs several city's to sign the letter of intent in order to begin the study.
The council also approved a $9,700 portion of a contract to EBH Associates for upgrades to the city's current sewer system.
The council held an additional 15-minute executive session to discuss legal matters. No action was taken.
