LOOK CLOSELY AT URBANDALE'S WEBSITE FOLKS

It’s at: www.urbandale.org

It must be a modern and well run town that Salisbury might want to emulate. By the way, at the foot of the home page there’s a "Breaking News" link to the "City Manager Finalist Candidates" that connects to a page with a synopsis of each candidate – with a link to his/her complete resume (no FOIA request needed). That’s a model in "transparency" that Salisbury should adopt ASAP.

We should also consider the form of government there – as is the case in most cities of the size range of Salisbury and Urbandale, the City Manager has much of the administrative authority. Here’s a list (from the City Charter) of the duties and functions that Mr. Pick would have if he were to be selected for that position – don’t miss the last two items:

1. To employ, reclassify and suspend or remove all department heads and employees, subject to civil service provisions (Chapter 400 of the Code of Iowa), the Veteran’s Preference Law (Chapter 35C of the Code of Iowa), or as otherwise provided for by the Code of Iowa or this Code of Ordinances, and subject to Council approval, fix the compensation to be paid such employees. The City Manager may authorize any administrative officer who is subject to the Manager’s supervision to employ, reclassify or suspend or remove subordinates in that officer’s department, office or agency.

2. To see that all ordinances, resolutions, contracts, Mayor or Council directives, or laws of the State which are subject to enforcement by the Manager or officers subject to the Manager’s direction and supervision are faithfully executed.

3. To attend all meetings of the Council, unless excused by a majority of the Council. The City Manager shall have the right to participate in the meetings but shall not have the right to vote.

4. To keep the Mayor and Council fully advised as to the financial conditions and future needs of the City and to make such recommendations to the Mayor and Council concerning the affairs of the City as the Manager may deem necessary.

5. To direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided in this Code of Ordinances or the Code of Iowa.

6. To cooperate with any administrative agency or utility board of trustees.

7. To prepare and submit to the Mayor and Council the annual budget and capital program.

8. To conduct the business affairs of the City, including financial and personnel affairs, by modern and efficient methods and to cause accurate records to be maintained.

9. To make such other reports as the Mayor and Council may require concerning City affairs under the Manager’s direction and supervision.

10. To submit to the Mayor and Council, and make available to the public, a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City at the end of the fiscal year.

11. To perform such other duties as the Mayor and Council may request or delegate.

12. To appoint the Chief of Police.

13. To appoint the Fire Chief.

PS - These duties, etc., are much the same as those that were proposed by Salisbury's most recent Charter Review Committee and adopted by the City Council, but defeated after Barrie Tilghman and her cohorts organized to defeat them.