The City Administrator contract for Jim Hurm is ready for a council vote.

Negotia-tions over the past week between Hurm and Human Resources Director Tricia Wiechmann have satisfied both Hurm and the city administration. The City Council will vote to approve the contract at their April 7 meeting.

"We pretty much mirrored the contract of the current city administrator, Pat McGarvey," Human Resources Director Tricia Wiechmann said. "There weren't a lot of items that needed to be negotiated."

Hurm's contract is for $82,500, with two evaluations and pay increases scheduled over the first 12 months, which will bring his salary to $87,500. This salary puts Hurm about at the middle of the pay scale advertised by the city for the position.

A couple of interesting points in the contract include Hurm's request that a portion of the money the city pays for his health insurance be moved into flex benefits if his wife, Susan, gets insurance through a job in Austin. She is currently a middle school teacher in Sioux City, Iowa. The council approved a choice of either payment of a lump sum or the transfer to flex benefits. This would save the city $8,400 per year.

Another benefit for the city is Hurm's request for less accumulated sick leave than the standard contract allows.

Hurm said these small sacrifices are indicative of what his approach to problem solving will be.

"I'm going to be a member of a team facing some big budget problems," Hurm said. "That's the way we need to approach it. We need to look at ways to think outside the box. If we think of ways to do that, we'll all be better off."

Hurm will also be allowed to contract for teaching assignments, given it is off city time and receives approval of the council. He has taught graduate-level classes in human resources and public administration at the University of South Dakota.

Besides dealing with the budget, Hurm said familiarizing himself with the organizations and people in Austin is a top priority.

"I will talk to the city council and see what some of their goals and objectives are," Hurm said. "I'll also get to know the departments and department heads."

Hurm will take over the position from current City Administrator Pat McGarvey on April 28.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com