Council split over extending interim job

The job of interim city administrator has been extended to November 2012, but several council members have voiced their opposition to the extension.

Last month, in a closed session vote, the City Council voted in a 5-4 decision to extend the interim city administrator position, currently held by city attorney Nathan Nickolaus, to November 2012 and defer the search process for a permanent city administrator.

Nickolaus has been the city attorney since 2003 and became the interim city administrator in May after the council terminated Steve Rasmussen. Nickolaus received a 10 percent pay increase for performing both jobs, giving him a salary of roughly $108,000 per year.

Fourth Ward Councilwoman Carrie Carroll said she opposed the decision to extend the interim title to November 2012 because she believes the city needs both a full-time city administrator and a full-time city attorney.

"We are the capital city; we have a lot going on," Carroll said. "It's too much for one person."

Though Carroll said the city should take its time and find the right person for the job, she does not think the search process should be deferred for so long.

Second Ward Councilman Shawn Shulte said he voted against the motion because he did not see the point to the extension.

"It didn't achieve anything any different than what we already had in place," Shulte said.