What Can Professional Management Do For Your Community?

Transcription

1 What Can Professional Management Do For Your Community?

2 Heidi J. Voorhees Ms. Voorhees is the President of GovHRUSA and has 30 years experience in executive recruitment, general management consulting, and local government administration. She has led more than 200 recruitments for local government entities across the country. Prior to her consulting career, Ms. Voorhees worked in local government administration for 19 years. She served the Village of Wilmette, Illinois for 15 years, ten as the Village Manager. She also worked for the Village of Schaumburg, Illiniois and the City of Kansas City, Missouri, where she was a Cookingham-Noll Fellow and a Budget Analyst. Ms. Voorhees has been an Adjunct Instructor for Northwestern University Master s Degere Program in Public Policy and Administartion and also at Northwestern s Center for Public Safety. Ms. Voorhees holds a Master s Degree in Public Affairs from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Illinois State University.

3 Mayor Bill Kolas Mayor Bill Kolas was first elected as Mayor in 1988 for a two year term. He chose not to run for re-election in But in 1991, the position for Mayor was open for a one year term. After winning this one year term in 1991, Mayor Kolas ran for his second 2 year term in 1992 and continues today as the Mayor of Higginsville. A few accomplishments and duties of Mayor Kolas include: Receiving the, Certified Municipal Official, award from the Missouri Municipal League in The Higginsville Chamber of Commerce award for the, Individual of the Year, in Mayor Kolas was one of a committee of three that founded and formed the Leadership Training program, LEAD 2000, now called LEAD, where over 200+ individuals have been trained in leadership skills. Those students and future leaders were from Higginsville and the surrounding cities in Lafayette County. Mayor Kolas began the Mayor s Christmas Tree Fund in 1990 that financially aids the local Food Pantry, Heat & Hunger Fund & Salvation Army, He served on the Chamber of Commerce Board for three years, the Lafayette County Extension Board for 2 years, co-chaired the Higginsville Country Fair one year and chaired the Higginsville Country Fair an additional 2 years, is a regular blood donor for the Community Blood Center and so far has donated 22 gallons, serves on the Higginsville Planning and Zoning Commission, is an active member of the Missouri Highway 13 Corridor Coalition, is an active member and former Chairman of the Transportation Advisory Council and current Chairman of Lafayette County for the TAC, served as a member of the Task Force studying the operations of the Marshall and Higginsville Rehabilitation Centers, is the current Chairman of the Base Community Council at Whiteman AFB, served as chairman of the Budget Committee of the Missouri Municipal League and is the current president, serves as a member of the National Resources and Urban Development and Resolution Committees of the Missouri Municipal League and is the newly elected Chairman of the Missouri Municipal League. Mayor Kolas graduated from Higginsville High School and served honorably in the United States Navy for 4 years. He is a paid up for life member of the American Legion Post 223 in Higginsville and the VFW Post 4288 in Corder, MO. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church in Higginsville. He is married to his wife Donna and they have a daughter, Jennifer Alexander and are blessed with three grandchildren.

4 Dave Olson Dave Olson has spent over 35 years as a local government administrator. Past service includes: Assistant City Manager and City Manager of Kansas City, Missouri; City Manager of Gladstone, Missouri; and Director of Transportation for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority A Minnesota native, he received BS and BA degrees from the Minnesota State University system and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Rhode Island. Dave enjoyed nine years as Adjunct Faculty member at the Hauptmann School of Public Affairs, Park University, Kansas City, Missouri.

5 1. Council members all have their own goals and agendas to accomplish, but they need to realize their most important allies are their fellow Council members and their city managers. What are the keys to a strong relationship between the two? What happens when the relationship between the mayor and a manager is strained or they are at odds?

6 2. A city manager is the key professional within your city s organization. What considerations are most important when doing your due diligence in the hiring process?

7 3. Council members should take time to understand a city manager s role so they can work more effectively with city managers. What are some key activities for a council to engage in- either collectively or individually- to help them better understand the role of the manager?

8 4. What are the advantages of having a full-time professional manager versus a part-time mayor and council handling day-to-day affairs?