New Chatfield city administrator position passes first round of voting

(ABC 6 News) – Unlike most cities, the city of Chatfield does not have a city administrator. This week city council members voted unanimously to create that position, but it’s not official yet.

The city has been trying to add this position since 2017. City leaders say it would streamline the chain of command, and is more of a ‘house keeping’ move.

City officials state that right now the city clerk is doing the jobs a city administrator would do, and the deputy city clerk is doing most of the duties of the city clerk.

If the city has a city administrator all departments would report to one person. At the moment multiple departments report to the city council and the police department reports to the mayor.

“One of the key things to this switch from a city clerk to a city administrator is that is cleans up the chain of command, simplifies the chain of command. Where department heads have one person to go to,” said Mayor Russ Smith.

Not only would this new role streamline operations. It would also clarify each role and job description.

“This is an important thing to clarify. Some of the different roles and duties that we would expect in a city clerk or a city administrator,” said Mayor Smith.

The council this week voted yes on the position, but there needs to be a second vote for it to become official. To pass it will need to be a unanimous vote. If it does pass, it will go into publication and then 90 days after that it will officially take effect.

While there are a few more steps to go, Mayor Smith says he’s confident that it will pass.