November 9, 2004 in Idaho

Hayden seeking new city manager

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Hayden is looking for a new city administrator because the current manager has opted to run the town’s finances.

City Administrator Lila Erickson recently stepped down to become the finance director, a new position at City Hall.

Erickson wasn’t available for comment Monday but Mayor Ron McIntire said Erickson’s background is in finance and that it would be a lot less stressful than the city administrator job that Erickson has had since June 2001.

Erickson chose to take the finance job and McIntire said that neither he nor the council asked her to resign as city administrator.

“I understand fully her taking the financial job, there’s not nearly the stress,” McIntire said, adding that locals have expected a lot from Erickson.

A group of business owners and developers repeatedly criticized Erickson earlier this year, saying the former city clerk has no experience and is unwilling to deal with the public.

The group alleged that Erickson couldn’t do her job without constantly consulting with the city attorney.

McIntire said Erickson did a fine job as city administrator but that the city does need someone with more experience managing a city. He said that Erickson fits better as finance director.

“We need someone to bring the city some experience and help calm the waters,” McIntire said, adding he wants someone who has managed a city before.

He pointed to Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls as examples of well run cities. He said both those town have experienced city administrators.

Erickson was initially hired in 1993 as the city’s clerk and treasurer.

When longtime city administrator Bob Croffort retired in June 2001, Erickson took over the job.

More than 100 people applied for the position that was advertised nationally.

Erickson didn’t apply for the job and was on the interviewing committee. But after some controversy the city decided to hire Erickson.

City Council members Nancy Taylor and Darlene Ferrians complained that they were excluded from the interview process and alleged that the city wouldn’t give them any information about the finalists.

McIntire said that this time the entire council can be involved during the hiring process.

Taylor, who still serves on the council, said she had concerns about Erickson’s lack of experience when Erickson was officially hired in February 2002 as the city administrator. But she is happy with Erickson’s new position.

“It’s a good position for her to be in and we are thrilled about the opportunity to hire someone with experience in managing a city,” Taylor said. “It’s good to bring in new blood and vitalization to City Hall.”

The city initially intended to hire a new finance director but officials weren’t too impressed with the applicants. That’s why McIntire asked Erickson if she wanted the job.

She accepted and that leaves the city trying to hire a new city administrator by the end of the year.

About 30 people have applied for the job. The application deadline was Friday.

McIntire said the next step is to screen the applicants and then have interviews.

Councilman Chris Beck said grants and other benefits have been overlooked in the past because the city didn’t have a specific finance director.

“We will be able to go after programs we didn’t have in the past,” he said, adding that Erickson’s finance background will come to good use.

When the city administrator job opened, some locals wondered if former Hayden mayor and Kootenai County Commission Chairman Dick Panabaker would want the job.

Panabaker is leaving office in January after losing the Republican primary to Katie Brodie.

Panabaker said he didn’t apply for the city administrator job because it’s a tough gig and that people are often difficult to deal with in that situation.

“I don’t want to get tied down,” Panabaker said. “I’m not looking for an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. I don’t want to punch a time card.”

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