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City of Webster City, Iowa
City Manager
Position Profile
The Community
The City of Webster City is a vibrant community in north central Iowa and home
to 8,176 residents. Located on the Boone River, the City is surrounded by
rolling hills, scenic recreational areas and excellent cropland. The City has a
rich history of economic progress and is noted for many and diverse industries,
including the manufacture of washers and dryers, central vacuum cleaning
systems, awnings and shutters, dry ice, ductile iron, custom casing, fertilizer,
agricultural chemicals, meat processing, and plastic injection molding. The
Southeast Industrial Park contains over 19 unoccupied acres for new and
expanding businesses. The Webster City trade area covers over three counties and
serves more than 50,000 people within a 30-mile radius of the City.
Webster City was originally called as New Castle and was incorporated in 1874.
Known as Main Street U.S.A. since 1947, Webster Citys newly refurbished
downtown reflects the communitys past and features many historic buildings in
the charming main street district. Downtown businesses provide shoppers with an
array of choices in clothing, furniture, appliances, jewelry, gifts, specialty
wares, professional services, restaurants and entertainment.
Webster City neighborhoods offer an excellent housing stock in established
neighborhoods. Over the past nine years, the Brewer Creek subdivision has added
many new homes in the mid to upper price ranges. Brewer Creek subdivision began
with 82 lots for sale and has only 9 lots left for sale. In addition, a
subdivision with lots adjacent to the Briggs Woods Golf Course and the Boone
River has recently been completed.
Education and Health Care
The Webster City Public School District provides education to 1,784 students
from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Two elementary schools serve 650
students in grades K-4. The schools employ 45 classroom teachers plus
specialized teachers to instruct computer, art, music and physical education and
provide guidance and media services. The middle school serves students in grades
5-8 in a facility newly constructed in 1999. In 2005, the principal received the
Iowa Middle School Principal of the Year award. The senior high school serves
600 students in grades 9-12 and boasts a graduation rate of 97%. College
entrance test scores are above the state average and the pursuit of
post-secondary education is made by approximately 70% of the graduating class.
Webster City has an excellent private school, St. Thomas Aquinas, which is
comprised of a pre-school and elementary school.
Opportunities for higher education are found through Iowa Central Community
College in a satellite center located in Webster City. ICCC partners with the
high school in providing advanced placement classes and is recognized for an
excellent Associate of Arts program. Four-year schools within close proximity
include Iowa State University in Ames, the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar
Falls, Drake University in Des Moines and the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Hamilton Hospital, located in Webster City is licensed for 25 patient beds. The
hospital employs approximately 225 people and is certified by the Iowa
Department of Inspections and Appeals as a Critical Access Hospital. Services
include 24-hour emergency room coverage with ambulance service.
Recreation
Excellent indoor sports opportunities are provided by Fuller Hall Recreation
Center. The Center recently completed a major renovation and expansion to
include a new 25-meter swimming pool, fitness room, game room, television
lounge, multi-purpose gym, racquetball courts and a conference room. The Center
schedules numerous programs each year to fit the needs of the community.
The Citys ten parks comprise nearly 500 acres highlighted by scenic overlooks,
walking and biking trails, and picnic grounds. A wide range of recreational
opportunities are enjoyed in the parks and are accommodated by numerous
playgrounds, ball fields, volleyball courts, tennis courts, ice rinks, a 9-hole
disc golf course, a skate park and canoe access areas. Various parks feature
shelters, campgrounds, fishing piers and a bandshell. The historical park
accommodates a depot museum, log cabins, an original courthouse, a country
school house and a country church.
Briggs Woods County Park is located approximately one mile south of Webster City
in a heavily timbered area and features a 70-acre lake with a sand beach and
camping facilities. The Boone River is popular for some of the best canoeing and
fishing in Iowa. The 18-hole Briggs Woods Golf Course features challenging
fairways, large putting greens and a driving range. Webster City is also home to
the Webster City Country Club a private 9-hole course.
The Brewer Creek Trail is a two-mile loop that travels through Brewer Creek
Park, Graceland Cemetery and the Hamilton Hospital grounds. The Boone River
Recreational Trail is under expansion and will eventually connect with the
Briggs Woods Trail making it approximately 6.5 miles in length. The trail will
travel through three City parks, two public campgrounds, one private park, the
county park, and an 18-hole public golf course.
Webster City residents of all ages are involved in a wide spectrum of cultural
activities. The Webster City Community Theatre offers several productions each
year and the historical Kendall Young Library is notable for an extensive
collection of literature, oil paintings, historic newspapers and collectibles
from the 19th century. In response to the increase in ethnic diversity in
Webster City, last year the community opened the All Cultures Equal Center
(ACE), a multi-cultural community center that provides resources to the minority
population. In a week long event, the Hamilton County Fair is held annually in
Webster City in late July and early August.
The Organization
The City of Webster City operates under a Council-Manager form of government
with a Council consisting of five members elected for overlapping terms of four
years. Webster City is one of only four communities in Iowa with this form of
government. The Mayor is one of the five members and is elected by the Council
for a term of two years. There are approximately 18 Advisory Boards and
Commissions including the Planning & Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment,
Airport Commission, Traffic Study Committee, Parks & Recreation Advisory
Commission and several others.
The City has a total of 70 full-time employees. The annual operating budget is
$25 million
Organizational Chart
City Services
Webster City has its own municipal electric utility with electric power
provided by Corn Belt Power Cooperative. There are 4,300 total meters including
3,700 residential meters. Electric power and maintenance is also provided to two
local electric cooperatives and the City of Woolstock. Aquila, Inc. supplies
natural gas energy needs to Webster City.
The City operates a wastewater treatment facility and a water treatment facility
with three Jordan Wells tied to water purification and a softening plant with
2.5 million gallon storage and a pumping capacity of 2,700 gallons per minute.
Planning for both water and wastewater treatment has allowed capacity for
continued growth. Refuse collection is privately handled except for a recycling
program that is contracted out to a private party and billed through the City's
billing system.
The Webster City Municipal Airport is located two miles from the City and
commercial air service is available twenty miles away in Fort Dodge or in nearby
Des Moines. The Webster City Airport also offers an Aviation
Science/Professional Pilot program through Iowa Central Community College.
Police services are provided by 14 officers, 1 administrative assistant and
several dispatchers providing 24-hour police dispatching services. Fire
protection is provided by four full-time personnel and 25 paid on-call
firefighters.
City Departments include the Utility Office, Public Works, Water Plant,
Wastewater Treatment Plant, Planning and Zoning, Inspections, Electric Utility,
Recreation/Public Grounds, Police, Fire, and Environmental/Safety.
The Position
The City Manager serves as the administrative support unit for the City.
Specific duties include:
Develop the annual budget including capital improvement and capital equipment
plans.
Responsible for financial reporting and coordinating outside financial
activities such as yearly audits and bonding requirements.
Direct all personnel matters of the City and Utilities. Responsible for
hiring, reclassifying and discharging employees.
Supervise the collective bargaining process.
Provide assistance to the Mayor and Council in economic development efforts,
policy research and recommendations.
Serve as liaison and support to advisory Boards and Commissions and
intergovernmental agencies locally and on the state and national levels.
Serves as the principal public contact point for citizen requests for
information and complaints.
Assure compliance with state and federal regulations.
Work with the Environmental/Safety Coordinator on safety and risk management
for the City.
Background and Experience
It is desirable that candidates for the City Manager have a B. A. degree
(preferably an M. A.) or equivalent experience in public or business
administration or related field, plus a minimum of three years experience in a
responsible municipal management position. The ideally qualified candidate will
possess:
Knowledge of municipal utility functions with an emphasis on electric utility
operations, administration and rate setting.
Economic Development experience with an emphasis on industrial development.
Knowledge of various funding techniques including Tax Increment Financing.
Experience in staff supervision, reorganization, training and labor union
activities.
Understanding of public works operations and experience in infrastructure
replacement.
Significant experience in working with a City Council or other elected
officials.
Experience in strategic planning and implementation.
Knowledge of annexation, planning and zoning activities.
Strong marketing and public relations skills.
Up-to-date computer and technology skills.
Management Capabilities
Take a strong leadership role in providing teambuilding and fostering staff
morale. Promote communications among departments in the coordination of
department duties.
Involve the staff in the decision making process and keep them well informed
on City issues and projects through orientation and regular meetings.
Utilize a guiding, non dictatorial approach in providing goals, guidelines and
expectations for the senior staff.
Enjoy working in a high profile position within the community and understand
expectations for the City Manager to be visible on a day to day basis. Become
active in community organizations and establish relationships with the Citys
large industrial employers.
Promote a positive image of City Hall to the public. Serve as the spokesperson
and make an effort to keep the citizens informed of City activities.
Utilize an open and transparent process in decision making.
Promote communications and the flow of information among staff, the public,
and the City Council.
Recognize the customer, both inside and outside the organization.
Have an appreciation for living and working in a rural environment.
Nurture the City's relationship with County government.
Position Priorities
Finalize the details of the utility rate increase and manage the public
information process to affected residential, commercial and industrial
electricity users.
Promote an inclusive strategic planning partnership with the City, Webster
City Area Development Corporation, the School District and other community
entities to address future growth issues.
Manage the planning stage for negotiations of the electric supply contract.
Establish long and short range plans for equipment and infrastructure
improvements. Implement the street repair program commencing in 2007 using local
option sales tax funds.
Initiate a team building session with staff members.
Continue plans to meet the Citys need for affordable housing needs.
Examine the Citys debt structure in all funds.
Evaluate staffing levels and reporting relationships with an eye to creating a
strong, efficient team.
Announcement
City Manager, Webster City, IA (pop. 8,176). Starting salary in the mid $70s to
the mid $80s. Located in north central Iowa serving a trade area over 50,000
people. This Main Street U.S.A. City is characterized by a strong industrial
component, viable downtown, superior school system and extensive park and
recreation amenities. Full-service county seat community with electric, water
and wastewater utilities, recreation center, airport, and cemetery. Position
reports to a five-member City Council. Requires B.A. degree with 3+years of
management level experience in public sector administration. Responsible for
full-time staff of 70 and total budget of $25 million. Specific experience in
finance/budgeting, electric utility, personnel activities, economic development,
and community partnerships. Position Profile available. Send resume by 1/18/06.
The Brimeyer Group Executive Search, Fifty South Ninth Avenue, Suite 101,
Hopkins, MN 55343, Phone: (952) 945-0246, Fax: (952) 945-0102, e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com
web: www.brimgroup.com
For more information, see:
 www.websterCity-ia.com
Timetable
1/18/06 Deadline for Application
3/13/06 Present Candidates/Select Finalists
3/24 and 3/25/06 Interviews/Selection
April-May 2006 Start Date
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