New city administrator picked – Council to approve hiring Monday -By MIKE DONAHEY TIMES-REPUBLICAN
Jessica Kinser of Clinton is the city council’s choice for the vacant Marshalltown city administrator position.
Kinser, Clinton’s city administrator, confirmed to the Times-Republican in a telephone interview Friday she will begin work in Marshalltown contingent upon an affirmative city council vote Monday night approving her employment agreement.
“It is bittersweet leaving Clinton,” said Kinser. “I am excited about moving to Marshalltown and learning more about the community and getting started on some of the projects needing to move forward.”
Because Clinton had limited staff, Kinser played a major role in economic development.
“Getting economic development tools in place for the city are some of the things I have done,” she said. “The focus we have been working on the last few years has been on housing. Specifically, historic restoration in our downtown … one (project) which is about to finish up.”
Kinser, the 2015 Iowa City Manager of the Year, said she is familiar with Central Iowa having attended Iowa State University.
Additionally, her brother Andrew is employed by Emerson Process Management/Fisher Controls in Marshalltown.
He and family reside in State Center.
A Council Bluffs native, KInser was appointed Clinton’s city administrator in June, 2013, having previously served as interim city administrator for six months, according to an Iowa City Management Association profile. She was first hired as Clinton’s city’s finance director in October, 2011, before being appointed interim city manager.
She also was city manager in Griswold, and served as management/financial analyst with Ottawa County, Mich. for slightly more than three years.
She has a BS in Political Science and in English – Rhetorical Studies from ISU (2005) and a Master of Public Administration (2007), also from ISU.
Kinser served on the Clinton County United Way Finance Committee and worked as Division Co-chair for the annual campaign.
Since previous city administrator Randy Wetmore resigned in mid-July to take a similar position in Statesboro, Ga., the city council made hiring a city administrator a major priority.
Mayor Jim Lowrance said he and council are hoping Kinser can start in mid-November, when critical planning for 2017 projects and other work begins.
The city advertised immediately after it formally accepted Wetmore’s resignation.
Mayor Jim Lowrance said the council sought an individual not only with the proper academic credentials, but one who was strong in finance, economic development, and who could work effectively with department heads.
Lowrance also said the city wanted a candidate who would be visible in the community as a volunteer.
After soliciting advice from Marshalltown Human Resources Director Jill Petermeier, the council advertised the opening in trade journals and other publications.
After reviewing many applications, the council eventually conducted telephone or Skype interviews with five semi-finalists and then narrowed the list to two before deciding on Kinser.
The salary range posted was $125,000 to $150,000, said Petermeier.
Kinser is also eligible to receive certain benefits alloted to other non-union city employees, such as insurance.
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Contact Mike Donahey at 641-753-6611 or mdonahey@timesrepublican.com
