The Clearwater-Clear Lake Sewer Authority is going through a reorganization process to improve its administrative operations.

 

The sewer authority  board met two weeks ago to discuss hiring Clearwater City Administrator Kevin Kress as its director and Clear Lake City Clerk Kari Mechtel to do finances.

 

Earlier in January, Kress presented a job description to the Clearwater City Council, outlining what he felt the duties would be for both the director position and the financial position.

 

Some of the director’s duties would be attending meetings, handling correspondence, coordination and  administration of sewer policies and procedures, human resources and management of employee benefits.

 

The finance position includes oversight of all financial records and reporting requirements, preparation of the operating budget, assisting with the annual audit and working with financial advisors on bond issues.

 

Kress said the reorganization issue came up after the sewer authority had difficulty keeping a person in the clerk/finance position. 

 

“They kept hiring someone part time and it didn’t work out,” said Kress.

 

Former Clear Lake Clerk Marilyn Bujalski has been doing the day-to-day financial and some limited administrative work, but her last day was Feb. 1.

 

Kress said members of the sewer authority accepted he and Mechtel to fill the positions, and approved of both job descriptions except for the supervision part of the director’s responsibilities. 

 

“They were concerned it might give Clearwater more authority,” said Kress. “But the description is about the director’s responsibilities, regardless of who holds the position.”

 

Who’s in charge is one of the issues that will be discussed at another sewer authority meeting set for Feb. 8.

 

Kress said there are a number of issues still on the table, like job descriptions and responsibilities of all sewer authority staff, step wages and spending authority.

 

Kress said he still has to review the sewer authority policies to see what happens in the event of an emergency. If something breaks down and has to be fixed immediately, who has the authority to purchase a part or authorize a repair? The board meets quarterly Does that mean they call a special meeting to approve an expenditure?

 

 “I think it would be better if the director had oversight,” said Kress. “But do they want to delegate spending authority or continue to meet to vote on it? That’s something the board will have to decide,” says Kress.