(Spirit Lake)– A hiring moratorium put in place several years ago by the city of Spirit Lake as a cost-cutting measure is going to remain in place…with one exception.
Councilman Clyde Ihrke made a motion at Tuesday’s city council meeting to lift the moratorium, after City Administrator Mark Stevens reported there is now a vacant position in the Water Department and another about to become open in the Street Department, along with a position in the Police Department that’s gone unfilled since the moratorium was put into place.
Stevens added he’s looking to hire two part-time positions this summer for the Parks Department to assist with mowing and other tasks.
Ihrke’s motion to lift the hiring freeze was defeated. He and fellow councilman Jeff Thee voted in favor, while Steve Balm, Kevin Bice and Jerry Harbst all voted no. Balm said the only way he could support lifting the moratorium would be abolishing the positions that are currently vacant.
Mayor Blain Andera expressed concern over the moratorium not being lifted, saying he’s worried about limited staffing in the Water Department and how it could affect morale. Andera added…quote: “We’ve had a lot of discontent with the Police Department and the Chief of Police over what the council has done with their (unfilled) position that we funded for two years and haven’t been allowed to be replaced…okay. I don’t want to drop this in the lap of the Water Department and have the Water Department upset with the council…have issues and stuff…like the Police Department has…okay”.
Following some further discussion a motion was made and passed unanimously authorizing Stevens to hire the two seasonal part-time workers for the Parks Department.
