Print
Comment
Rate
City plan could oust Holt from utilities post
THELMA GRIMES
News-Sun
It appears as though Benson Utilities Manager Mark Holt may be out of a job, as his current positions could be eliminated to make room for new positions in the 2004-05 fiscal year, despite city assurances to the contrary.
This news came just weeks after city officials promised no employees would be eliminated or laid off to accommodate the new staff structure organizational chart unanimously approved May 3 by the City Council.
During a special meeting last Wednesday, the City Council unanimously approved job descriptions for a public works director, parks and recreation director and a community development director.
Without mentioning Holt or Parks Supervisor Tom Guadagnoli, City Manager Boyd Kraemer told the council the city would advertise for a public works director and parks and recreation director and that salaries for both would come from the 2004-05 tentative budget.
It wasn't until the San Pedro Valley News-Sun questioned Kraemer on the specific budget allocations did it become known Holt's (annual salary: $70,792) and Guadagnoli's (annual salary: $41,516) positions would be eliminated to pay for the two positions.
When asked Thursday if the two employees were being fired, Kraemer said, "No, they are eligible to apply for these new positions."
However, a defensive Kraemer on Monday said he did not plan to replace or eliminate Guadagnoli or Holt in the coming year, but admitted no extra money has been budgeted for four positions. Kraemer continually stated he did not know when the two new positions would be advertised or filled.
"We are approving job descriptions as per the organizational chart," an agitated Kraemer said. "I don't know when we will advertise for the new positions. It could be 60 days, it could be 90 days. I cannot give an exact date. This does not mean we are getting rid of any employees."
Holt said he is "appalled" by the news and Guadagnoli said he is surprised but "not too concerned. I got a good performance evaluation and I am comfortable that I will stay with the city."
Holt was seemingly angry at the fact he heard the news of the possible changes from the News-Sun rather than Kraemer or the City Council. Guadagnoli also received the news from the newspaper.
That could be because some City Council members were not aware.
"I thought I was just approving job descriptions," said Councilman Toney King. "I didn't know this was to eliminate or to replace anyone. I am pretty upset about this, but this is nothing new. I'm left in the dark on a lot of things."
When asked about council members not being properly informed, Kraemer flatly stated, "I do my best to update the City Council as often as I can."
Vice Mayor Jeannine Hamilton, who did not attend the Wednesday night meeting, said she was aware of the new positions, but didn't expect them to be filled for several years.
"To my knowledge we may have budgeted, but I didn't realize we would advertise the new positions," Hamilton said. "I was thinking maybe in a year or two."
However, Mayor George Scott seemed to know the plan. Repeating what Kraemer had said, Scott did not appear surprised and agreed.
"Basically, we are going to upgrade our organizational chart and this is a start," Scott said.
When asked about the possibility of losing employees, Scott said, "anything's possible, but I'd like to think we would give preference to our current employees (referring to Holt or Guadagnoli applying for the newly created positions)."
Councilmen Mark Fenn, Ted Amox and John Lodzinski and Councilwoman Kathy Suagee did not return the News-Sun's call for comment.
"I think we should let this happen through attrition," Hamilton said on Monday. "I don't want to actively pursue filling the new positions and I don't want this to be about fulfilling personal vendettas."
Hamilton said she was sure Guadagnoli would have no problem fulfilling the requirements as parks and recreation director, however, Holt has been the subject of controversy with the current City Council on more than one occasion.
Last July in a 4-3 City Council vote, Holt was terminated as city manager and reluctantly returned to his position as utilities manager, a stipulation in his contract in the event of termination.
When asked if the city is worried about violating the terms of Holt's contract, Kraemer said "no, we don't feel that way based on the advice of legal counsel."
Despite claiming the city is not trying to eliminate Holt, Kraemer, who acted as though the News-Sun's inquiries about city business was an inconvenience, admitted the city has sought legal advice from a Tucson attorney as well as City Attorney Ann Roberts, who has since admitted she does not know what is going on with the current situation.
"It is my understanding that everyone is staying in their current positions," Roberts said. "I thought they were just approving new job descriptions. No one is talking to me and no one is telling me the game plan."
One of the main complaints about Holt has been the city is in need of a certified engineer. The approved public works director job description calls for candidates to hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction or a closely related field and 10 years of experience, a minimum of five years supervisory experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience, must be registered as a professional engineer and must possess any related Arizona gas, water or wastewater certifications.
Holt said he has a bachelor's degree in engineering and meets the city's qualifications for the position except he is not a registered engineer. To become registered, Holt said he would have to work four years under a certified engineer, noting he is eligible for retirement in five years.
"I don't think they have a reason for doing this other than to get rid of me," Holt said. "I have spoken to my attorney and we will just have to see what happens."
Holt, 50, has been a city employee nearly 20 years. Kraemer on Thursday said he felt Holt is qualified for the newly created position just based on his number of years experience.
"Mr. Holt is a valued employee and we are not trying to just get rid of him," Kraemer said. "We are doing whatever we can to keep him on staff."
However, Holt and city officials may have different ideas on where he belongs with city staff. Kraemer and Holt said there has been discussion about keeping Holt on a consulting basis, which in turn would be loss of position and less pay.
News-Sun
It appears as though Benson Utilities Manager Mark Holt may be out of a job, as his current positions could be eliminated to make room for new positions in the 2004-05 fiscal year, despite city assurances to the contrary.
This news came just weeks after city officials promised no employees would be eliminated or laid off to accommodate the new staff structure organizational chart unanimously approved May 3 by the City Council.
During a special meeting last Wednesday, the City Council unanimously approved job descriptions for a public works director, parks and recreation director and a community development director.
Without mentioning Holt or Parks Supervisor Tom Guadagnoli, City Manager Boyd Kraemer told the council the city would advertise for a public works director and parks and recreation director and that salaries for both would come from the 2004-05 tentative budget.
It wasn't until the San Pedro Valley News-Sun questioned Kraemer on the specific budget allocations did it become known Holt's (annual salary: $70,792) and Guadagnoli's (annual salary: $41,516) positions would be eliminated to pay for the two positions.
When asked Thursday if the two employees were being fired, Kraemer said, "No, they are eligible to apply for these new positions."
However, a defensive Kraemer on Monday said he did not plan to replace or eliminate Guadagnoli or Holt in the coming year, but admitted no extra money has been budgeted for four positions. Kraemer continually stated he did not know when the two new positions would be advertised or filled.
"We are approving job descriptions as per the organizational chart," an agitated Kraemer said. "I don't know when we will advertise for the new positions. It could be 60 days, it could be 90 days. I cannot give an exact date. This does not mean we are getting rid of any employees."
Holt said he is "appalled" by the news and Guadagnoli said he is surprised but "not too concerned. I got a good performance evaluation and I am comfortable that I will stay with the city."
Holt was seemingly angry at the fact he heard the news of the possible changes from the News-Sun rather than Kraemer or the City Council. Guadagnoli also received the news from the newspaper.
That could be because some City Council members were not aware.
"I thought I was just approving job descriptions," said Councilman Toney King. "I didn't know this was to eliminate or to replace anyone. I am pretty upset about this, but this is nothing new. I'm left in the dark on a lot of things."
When asked about council members not being properly informed, Kraemer flatly stated, "I do my best to update the City Council as often as I can."
Vice Mayor Jeannine Hamilton, who did not attend the Wednesday night meeting, said she was aware of the new positions, but didn't expect them to be filled for several years.
"To my knowledge we may have budgeted, but I didn't realize we would advertise the new positions," Hamilton said. "I was thinking maybe in a year or two."
However, Mayor George Scott seemed to know the plan. Repeating what Kraemer had said, Scott did not appear surprised and agreed.
"Basically, we are going to upgrade our organizational chart and this is a start," Scott said.
When asked about the possibility of losing employees, Scott said, "anything's possible, but I'd like to think we would give preference to our current employees (referring to Holt or Guadagnoli applying for the newly created positions)."
Councilmen Mark Fenn, Ted Amox and John Lodzinski and Councilwoman Kathy Suagee did not return the News-Sun's call for comment.
"I think we should let this happen through attrition," Hamilton said on Monday. "I don't want to actively pursue filling the new positions and I don't want this to be about fulfilling personal vendettas."
Hamilton said she was sure Guadagnoli would have no problem fulfilling the requirements as parks and recreation director, however, Holt has been the subject of controversy with the current City Council on more than one occasion.
Last July in a 4-3 City Council vote, Holt was terminated as city manager and reluctantly returned to his position as utilities manager, a stipulation in his contract in the event of termination.
When asked if the city is worried about violating the terms of Holt's contract, Kraemer said "no, we don't feel that way based on the advice of legal counsel."
Despite claiming the city is not trying to eliminate Holt, Kraemer, who acted as though the News-Sun's inquiries about city business was an inconvenience, admitted the city has sought legal advice from a Tucson attorney as well as City Attorney Ann Roberts, who has since admitted she does not know what is going on with the current situation.
"It is my understanding that everyone is staying in their current positions," Roberts said. "I thought they were just approving new job descriptions. No one is talking to me and no one is telling me the game plan."
One of the main complaints about Holt has been the city is in need of a certified engineer. The approved public works director job description calls for candidates to hold a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction or a closely related field and 10 years of experience, a minimum of five years supervisory experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience, must be registered as a professional engineer and must possess any related Arizona gas, water or wastewater certifications.
Holt said he has a bachelor's degree in engineering and meets the city's qualifications for the position except he is not a registered engineer. To become registered, Holt said he would have to work four years under a certified engineer, noting he is eligible for retirement in five years.
"I don't think they have a reason for doing this other than to get rid of me," Holt said. "I have spoken to my attorney and we will just have to see what happens."
Holt, 50, has been a city employee nearly 20 years. Kraemer on Thursday said he felt Holt is qualified for the newly created position just based on his number of years experience.
"Mr. Holt is a valued employee and we are not trying to just get rid of him," Kraemer said. "We are doing whatever we can to keep him on staff."
However, Holt and city officials may have different ideas on where he belongs with city staff. Kraemer and Holt said there has been discussion about keeping Holt on a consulting basis, which in turn would be loss of position and less pay.
 |
 |
|
| Campers find body in Mescal | Funding needed for senior meals |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
