The Byron City Council has named Mary Blair-Hoeft as city administrator.
She has been serving as interim administrator since May 2009. The previous administrator, Jerry Henricks, was fired from the position in April of that year, and Hoeft, who was city clerk and finance director, filled in with help from other city employees.
As compensation for these extra duties, Hoeft has been paid quarterly bonuses. Her new compensation package will include these bonuses as part of her regular wage. The promotion is subject to a six-month probationary term.
Council member Bret Baumbach said, "Mary’s done a good job as the interim administrator."
The council unanimously approved the promotion at last week's meeting, and residents attending the meeting applauded the action.
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Hoeft started working at the city in 1998 as treasurer/office manager. She was promoted to city clerk/finance director in 1999.
Previously, Hoeft worked for Southeast Minnesota Multi County Housing and Redevelopment Authority for nearly 10 years doing community development work and managing public housing and maintenance.
Hoeft moved here from Lake City. She attended Wabasha-Kellogg High School and earned her undergraduate degree in business and graduate degree in the science of management at Cardinal Stritch University.
She is married to Rochester native, Tom Hoeft, and they have two daughters, Aubrey and Alyson.
Preliminary levy approved
In other business, the council approved the preliminary levy of $2,057,518. Hoeft explained that this budget includes no property tax increase for Byron residents and no local government aid funding.
Council members were pleased with this information. "We’ve come a long way in two years," said one council member.
Acting Mayor Jason Snow said, "Overall, I think this is good to not raise taxes and not depend on LGA. As far as cities in general go, this is good."
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Workers' comp discount
In other business, the city received notification from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust that the city is receiving a 15 percent discount on its premiums for workers’ compensation.
In the letter, Josh Fitch, loss control consultant, complimented the city’s Building and Safety department head Dale Kurtz for spearheading the formation of the Southeast Regional Safety Group in 2009.
City staff members from several towns attend the group’s monthly safety training to help meet state and federal OSHA mandates. Member cities share half the costs of each training session and the League pays the remainder.
The next city council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Sept 22 at City Hall.
