Havre needs more answers on changing to city manager

The opinion piece favoring a city manager position that ran in Tuesday’s edition of Havre Daily News left too many unanswered questions.

The statement that the manager position “would likely be a cost savings to the city budget as well” was completely unsubstantiated. How do you add a new position, which likely would require a salary of at least $100,000, and have a cost savings? Also, I think this position would require, at a minimum, one support staff employee.

Where do you find this individual who in addition to being the city manager is qualified to be the finance director, human resource manager and provide contract negotiations? In most all circumstances, a city manager and a finance director are two completely different full-time positions. It would be difficult to attract a qualified city manager with a finance background to a city the size of Havre.

If the ballot issue passes for a city manager, would the current mayor/finance director become the city manager/finance director? Since the new mayor’s position being a ceremonial role, would the current mayor position’s salary be reduced drastically to reflect the new duties and the savings added to the city manager/finance director position?

It is strange that justification for a change to a city manager is Havre’s continual growth, “albeit slowly.” Last November, the mayor, finance director and several council members wanted to reclassify the city to a second class city due to a decline in population.

The comment that “Havre has been fortunate to have been served for many years now by competent, professional mayors” is misleading. I was employed by the City for 27 years and worked with five different mayors. The main reason for efficient operations of the city was and is due to competent and professional department heads and quality employees working with them.

Until more answers are provided, I cannot in good faith support the city manager/finance position for Havre.

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Lowell Swenson is a former Havre city finance director and study commission member.