Agenda Item Wording:
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Confirmation of Administrative Services Director - Conformation of the appointment of Michelle Speer to serve as the Administrative Services Director for the City of Visalia.
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Deadline for Action: 1/16/2024
Submitting Department: Administration
Contact Name and Phone Number: Leslie B. Caviglia, City Manager, 713-4332
Department Recommendation: It is recommended that the Visalia City Council confirm the City Manager’s appointment of Michelle Speer to serve as the Administrative Services Director for the City of Visalia initially overseeing the Human Resources, Risk Management and Communication’s Divisions at a salary of $172,500 annually and the benefits associated with a Department Head for the City. Ms. Speer has two decades of professional experience, most recently as the Assistant City Manager/Administrative Services Direction with the City of Lemoore where she handled Human Resources/Risk Management, Finance, including budget development, and Technology. She has been with the City of Lemoore since 2016, and previously worked for the County of Kings, College of the Sequoias and a private architecture firm. She has a Bachlor of Arts Degree in Organizational Leaders from Fresno Pacific University.
Background Discussion:
The City of Visalia is over 140,000 people, has almost 700 full time positions allocated in addition to over 100 part-time employees on an on-going basis and more during the summer peak season, and is operating a robust communication’s operation in order to better communicate with the citizens of Visalia. Given the size and complexity of the organization, the City Manager proposed creating a department that would focus on some of the City’s greatest assets, the people who serve the citizens of this community and ability to communicate with the citizens of Visalia. The Council concurred with this recommendation and included this position in the 2022-24 budget.
The City conducted a recruitment with the assistance of a professional recruitment firm, and attracted candidates from throughout the State. There were two internal panel interviews, a writing exercise and several hours of personal interview and background discussions that went into this selection.
If Council confirms this appointment tonight, Ms. Speer will begin with the City on February 5, 2024.
Fiscal Impact:
This position was included in the 2022-24 budget so there are no unanticipated budget impacts.
Prior Council Action: N/A
Other: N/A
Alternatives: To not confirm the appointment
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to confirm the appointment of Michelle Speer to serve as the Administrative Services Director at a salary of $172,500.
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: Resume