AUBURN - While Auburn City Council is in contract negotiations with a potential city manager, it may begin restructuring plans that could encompass Interim City Manager Michael Long, who is not expected to get the permanent position.
During Long's five months as interim city manager, he's continued to serve as the director of capital projects and grants.
However, discussions of merging Cayuga County's and Auburn's planning departments and other restructuring may usher in more changes for the veteran of city hall.
Long had worked directly with the city manager as the director of capital projects, but says the position is “a good fit” with the Department of Planning and Economic Development, where it used to belong.
Talk of merging the county's planning department with the city's has filled city hall since last fall. Long worked in planning when the departments were together in the 1980s. He said either system offers different benefits.
However, conversations about creating a joint department have stalled, councilor Thomas McNabb said.
The new manager can review restructuring plans and begin to make changes, “if he doesn't get his marching orders from the majority of council,” Mayor Timothy Lattimore said.
While he vocally supported Long for city manager, Lattimore is willing to work with the incoming candidate through labor contracts, increasing revenue streams, and handling the $15 million payroll. He hopes the new manager will encourage alternative energy projects and economic development, two of the mayor's priorities.
As interim manager, Long is spending his time where he's needed. With the departure of Frank DeOrio, municipal utilities director and Stephen Lynch, director of planning, Long is diverting hours to overseeing the two departments, as well as his full-time job.
“I'm putting out fires constantly,” he said. “I start at the biggest issues.”
He hasn't heard anything official about the incoming city manager, or the fate of his position, but city hall has to keep working. Long and Comptroller Lisa Green have begun the next step in preparing the budget, so this is a good time for a new manager to jump aboard, Long said.
McNabb approves of the top candidate because of his quality experience.
“This is a what you call a full-service city,” McNabb said. “It takes a lot of skill to run the water treatment and filtration plant, the landfill, police and fire department ... You can't just take some guy off the street to do it.”
McNabb added that the candidate has years of experience running multiple departments.
He said he didn't foresee any issues with the transition of Long and the new candidate.
Lattimore said if all goes well with negotiations, the new manager will take his place in the second floor of city hall by March 1.
Because contract discussions are ongoing, council will not release the candidate's name, as well as other details such as salary and length of the contract. He is from out of state, but has worked in New York before. The city has a bumpy track record with out-of-state managers, Lattimore added.
“I'm disappointed that Mike Long didn't get it, but I'm for whatever will make the city of Auburn the best she can be,” Lattimore said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be contacted at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
However, discussions of merging Cayuga County's and Auburn's planning departments and other restructuring may usher in more changes for the veteran of city hall.
Long had worked directly with the city manager as the director of capital projects, but says the position is “a good fit” with the Department of Planning and Economic Development, where it used to belong.
Talk of merging the county's planning department with the city's has filled city hall since last fall. Long worked in planning when the departments were together in the 1980s. He said either system offers different benefits.
However, conversations about creating a joint department have stalled, councilor Thomas McNabb said.
The new manager can review restructuring plans and begin to make changes, “if he doesn't get his marching orders from the majority of council,” Mayor Timothy Lattimore said.
While he vocally supported Long for city manager, Lattimore is willing to work with the incoming candidate through labor contracts, increasing revenue streams, and handling the $15 million payroll. He hopes the new manager will encourage alternative energy projects and economic development, two of the mayor's priorities.
As interim manager, Long is spending his time where he's needed. With the departure of Frank DeOrio, municipal utilities director and Stephen Lynch, director of planning, Long is diverting hours to overseeing the two departments, as well as his full-time job.
“I'm putting out fires constantly,” he said. “I start at the biggest issues.”
He hasn't heard anything official about the incoming city manager, or the fate of his position, but city hall has to keep working. Long and Comptroller Lisa Green have begun the next step in preparing the budget, so this is a good time for a new manager to jump aboard, Long said.
McNabb approves of the top candidate because of his quality experience.
“This is a what you call a full-service city,” McNabb said. “It takes a lot of skill to run the water treatment and filtration plant, the landfill, police and fire department ... You can't just take some guy off the street to do it.”
McNabb added that the candidate has years of experience running multiple departments.
He said he didn't foresee any issues with the transition of Long and the new candidate.
Lattimore said if all goes well with negotiations, the new manager will take his place in the second floor of city hall by March 1.
Because contract discussions are ongoing, council will not release the candidate's name, as well as other details such as salary and length of the contract. He is from out of state, but has worked in New York before. The city has a bumpy track record with out-of-state managers, Lattimore added.
“I'm disappointed that Mike Long didn't get it, but I'm for whatever will make the city of Auburn the best she can be,” Lattimore said.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be contacted at 253-5311, ext. 267 or jessica.soule@lee.net
