News : City hires interim coordinator; consultant to find replacement for Lent

The Vinton City Council agreed to hire an interim city coordinator for $1,200 per week, beginning today, and to spend $12,000 on a consulting firm to help hire a new coordinator.

Mayor John Watson thanked Andy Lent for his service to Vinton for the past several years. Lent is leaving Vinton to take a similar position in the city of Carlisle, south of Des Moines.

“You’ve taught me a lot,” Watson said.

The city will pay consultant Jeffrey Horne $1,200 per week on a contract basis to be the full-time coordinator until a full-time coordinator is hired.

The council vote on hiring Horne was 4-2. Members Dave Redlinger, Keith Elwick, Ron Hessenius and Tami Stark voted yes; Chris Bendull and Bud Maynard voted no. During the interview process city leaders has discussed Horne’s employment history; he was asked to resign from his last job as Clinton City Coordinator. See that story HERE.

The council will pay Callahan Municipal Consultants, owned by Patrick Callahan of Anamosa, $12,000 to guide the city as it hires a new coordinator.

Councilman Redlinger called the $12,000 an investment, saying that hiring the wrong person could cost the city much more in the long run. Maynard said that a few people have complained about the expense, but when he asked those people if they would be willing to serve on a committee to oversee the hiring process, they said no.

A reception honoring Lent will take place the afternoon Sept. 4, at city hall.