FEBRUARY 4, 2025|
Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
In Rawlins, city officials debated undoing a hiring freeze to help the overburdened city manager.
In the past, the governing body chose to freeze certain city positions to help alleviate budget shortfalls. Included on the list of frozen job titles is a Human Resources Director.
During the January 21st Rawlins city council meeting, Vice Mayor Darril Garner asked City Manager Tom Sarvey how many hours he works each week. After hearing Sarvey’s response, Vice Mayor Garner asked if unfreezing the Human Resources Director position would help the city manager spend less time at the office.
City Manager Sarvey admitted that a Human Resources Director would help him better meet the council’s expectations on matters relating to salaries and updating the employee handbook.
Vice Mayor Garner asked the council if they could unfreeze hiring for the position of Human Resources Director, provided that Sarvey can find the necessary funds in the budget to underwrite a new employee. The vice mayor said Sarvey deserves some relief from his lengthy work schedule.
Vice Mayor Garner said an HR Director will benefit every city employee, as well.
The city has been actively seeking a Finance Department Director, a position held by Sarvey before he was chosen as City Manager. A Finance Director assists with the development of the annual budget. Councilman Bruce Seilaff asked Sarvey if he had received any qualified applicants. The city manager responded that he couldn’t justify the expense of hiring any additional staff.
City Manager Sarvey said he would prioritize hiring a Human Resources Director over a Finance Director. Regardless, Sarvey said the city should focus on increasing the salary of existing employees to be more in line with other municipalities before hiring additional staff.
Sarvey said he and the city council will have to solve the salary issue during this year’s budget talks.
Although Sarvey expressed hesitation about hiring new employees, the governing body unanimously voted to unfreeze the Human Resources Director position and begin advertising for applicants.
