The Austin Housing and Redevelopment Authority is a step closer to a new director.

During a regularly scheduled HRA board meeting Thursday evening, commissioners approved a target salary and benefit package and finalized a job description for its new executive director.

The salary range for the full-time executive director is targeted for $67,808 to $80,704, depending on experience. Commissioners said they would still be able to switch the position to part-time later if they chose to, but that the decision would undo a lot of work in the executive director search and would have to have a compelling reason.

Sherri Detloff, HRA accountant, estimated the difference in cost between a full-time and part-time director to be about $68,700.

The HRA board also made final changes to the executive director’s job description and approved the job posting that would be advertised in several places, including the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and possibly nationally as well.

The board said it would likely make postings locally, too, though current executive director Jim Hurm said he did not think many candidates in the area would have the desired level of experience. A minimum of two years housing and/or community development experience are part of the position requirements.

Shirley Schlieve, HRA board secretary, said it was important to include staff members in the selection process.

“I feel that they should be at the meetings,” she said. “They should be able to know what’s going on.” They would not need to be part of the interviews, she said.

The board plans to discuss the matter of including staff at future meetings.

Hurm’s overall salary will not change when he resigns as executive director of the HRA, Detloff said.

The HRA receives no money from the city of Austin, but it does pull in just under $200,000 a year from a property tax levied by Mower County. Detloff said that number is set at a fixed percentage according to Minnesota statute, and will not increase.

Other business

During the meeting, the HRA board also:

—heard a presentation from John Garry of the community betterment project Vision 2020. He encouraged the HRA board to get involved in one of two Vision initiatives: revitalizing the old Austin Utilities building or making Austin a business-friendly environment. Garry said monetary contribution was the best way for the HRA to have a voice in the project.

“This is marvelous opportunity for the city,” said Commissioner Chair Marv Repinski, adding it will bolster the redevelopment side of the HRA.

—heard a request for funding from Sarah Douty of the Austin Main Street Project. Douty petitioned the HRA to dedicate $300,000 of its budget over the next three years for use on projects downtown, much as it has for the past three years.

Typically, that money is given in installments of $100,000 a year given to the Austin Port Authority so a public entity could hold it before the Main Street Project needs it. This time, Douty asked that $10,000 of that be given directly to her organization for Vision 2020-related expenses.

Board members decided to allot the first year’s $100,000 plus a $20,000 administrative budget for the first year, with the condition that the Main Street Project appeal to the HRA, which would then have the funds sent from the Port Authority. Board members said this move would help the HRA keep a sense of identity and control with how its money is being used.

“We’ll have more responsibility and ownership for what the money is for,” said Commissioner Roger Boughton.

—heard a presentation from Kirsten Hall of the Austin Downtown Alliance. Hall reviewed her new event, Tuesdays on Main.

—approved its Market Rate Housing budget for the next fiscal year.