I would like to respond to the May 27th Lebanon Express editorial, which called into question recent and proposed changes to the city's administrative structure.

Clearly, the public has every right to expect that the city's administrative structure be both effective, and frugal with taxpayer's dollars. In fact, the City's charter requires the City Administrator to "….supervise the (City's) departments to the end of obtaining the utmost efficiency in each of them" (emphasis mine).

Reaching the lofty goal of "utmost efficiency" often requires changes in city policies, budgetary allocations, and personnel. To that end, several job positions were eliminated last February while other positions had, or will have, their duties and scope of responsibilities altered.

All of these changes have resulted in an annual savings to the city in excess of $400,000. In addition, those employees with modified duties will receive no pay increases. (Incidentally, no supervisory or managerial employee, including Ginger Allen and myself, will receive a pay increase this coming fiscal year).

The editor seemed especially concerned about the role of Ginger Allen. I have proposed that she assume the title of Assistant City Manager, effective July 1. However, in my view, this does not represent a significant change in Mrs. Allen's daily, long-term duties. Nor will it have a major impact on other city employees.

I alone will still be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city. All of the City's department heads will continue to report directly to me. All departmental communications, reviews, and when necessary, final decisions will come directly to me and be handled by myself. Hence, no added "layer of administration" has been created, as was claimed by the editor.

The principle benefit of delegating Mrs. Allen as Assistant City Manager is to have someone, besides myself, who is familiar with overall city operations, and can provide to the public and the city staff a single point of contact in my absence.

The city did not recruit for a new Assistant City Manager simply because no new position was or is being created. We do not normally enter into a public recruitment process when an existing employee merely has his or her duties modified or expanded.

I believe Mrs. Allen is a good choice to serve as Assistant City Manager with her 20 years of broad municipal experience and a Certification in Public Administration from Willamette University.

Contrary to the editor's assertion, this proposed change was made clear to the Budget Committee in my oral presentation to the Budget Committee as well as outlined in the budget document itself.

Some additional staffing modifications will appear in the final, proposed budget that were not seen by the Budget Committee. All members of the public are invited to provide input at the June 24 City Council meeting concerning any aspect of the final, proposed budget.

Of course, the City Council, at this meeting, will have the opportunity and authority to examine all city staffing, organizational, and spending proposals, making whatever changes they deem appropriate.

In conclusion, the recent and proposed city staffing changes save substantial money, do not in any way encumber or complicate the city's organizational structure and continue a high level of service to the public.

John Hitt has served as city manager since 2000.