Agenda Item Wording:
title
Department Head Appointment - Request by City Manager for Council approval of the reassignment/appointment of Jason Huckleberry to a Department Head position overseeing Engineering, Development Services and Building Safety Divisions at the salary of $175,000.
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Deadline for Action: 12/4/2023
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Leslie B. Caviglia, City Manager, 713-4332, leslie.caviglia@visalia.city <mailto:leslie.caviglia@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Visalia City Council approve the appointment/reassignment of Jason Huckleberry to a Department Head position overseeing Engineering, Development Services and Building Safety Divisions.
Background Discussion:
With the recent departure of former Assistant City Manager Nick Mascia, the City Manager assessed the current assignments and, in consultation with key senior staff members, to determine an appropriate distribution of some of his duties within the organization. Based on the heavy workload within the Community Development Department as well as Engineering, a redivision of the Divisions is appropriate. The City Manager is recommending that Jason Huckleberry be promoted to a Department Head position (name of department to be determined). Jason has more than 25 years in the construction/building/engineering industry. He has been employed by the City of Visalia for 12 years, 6.5 years of that time as an Assistant Department Head. Earlier in his career, he spent about 8 years in the Engineering department of other agencies. He also worked in the private land development sector.
If this appointment is approved, the organization would be configured as follows:
Finance and Technology, Fire, Police, Parks & Recreation, Administration Services - No Changes
Community Development - Planning, Neighborhood Preservation and Economic Development. The recently approved Sweep Program and Graffiti abatement Program would be transferred to this Department under the Neighborhood Preservation Division.
Public Works - An Engineer/Project Management position will be added to Public Works and once filled, Waste Water Treatment Plant projects will be transitioned to that department, and overtime, Corporation Yard project may also be transitioned. This Department will no longer coordinate Graffiti Abatement or the Sweep Program
Administration - This Department will no longer have Engineering. The City Manager will return at the next meeting with an overview of a revised Administration Department.
The City Charter calls of all Department Head appointments to be approved by the City Council; therefore, the City Manager is presenting, for Council’s approval, the appointment/reassignment of Jason Huckleberry to be the Department Head over the Engineering, Development Services and Building Safety Divisions at a salary of $175,000 plus the benefits associated with a Department Head position in the organization.
Fiscal Impact:
Approximately $25,000 increase with salary, car allowance and other associated Department Head benefits.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: To not approve the appointment and direct the City Manager to return with a different reorganization plan.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve the reassignment/appointment of Jason Huckleberry to a Department Head position at the salary of $175,000.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: N/A