The Shenandoah city council has approved the creation of a new assistant city administrator position. This position will fall within the pay grade range from $147,000 to $222,350, according to meeting documents.

Role and Responsibilities

The new position is meant to improve operational support and coordination and assist with implementing city priorities and initiatives, among other duties, according to the resolution. A new city administrator, Sam Masiel, was named this March in Shenandoah.

Council member Frank Robinson said at the meeting that he agreed with the need for the position. “I think this is excellent,” he said. “I think it’s needed.”

Former council member Ron Raymaker spoke during the citizens forum section of the previous May 27 meeting, saying he disagreed with adding the position. “If there’s a clearly defined need, it should come with measurable duties and outcomes. If not, we should be cautious about taking on ongoing costs without clear need,” he said.

Masiel said after the meeting, they plan to look internally, and he hopes to make a recommendation at an upcoming council meeting. The position could be included in the current year’s budget, he said.

Personnel Appointments

In a separate vote, council members approved a new policy that would allow the city administrator to make personnel appointments needed to implement organizational restructuring or succession planning. That could mean reassigning existing employees to another position, according to the policy.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.