Carefree Truth
Issue #713, December 21, 2018
Mayor Les Peterson said that Gary Neiss has worked for the Town and been the Town Administrator for going on 17 years. He is a very effective leader, with an unsurpassed memory that can recall minute details going back many, many years.
There are a magnitude of big issues in the works which include water service for the residents of western Carefree, economic development, and repair and maintenance of the approximately 106 miles of public roads. Roads are the Town's largest asset and greatest liability, and some have problems. The Carefree Water Company has been operating as a Water District, but now that the loans are paid off, it is time to integrate it into the Town operations this spring.
Marketing is one of the more visible areas, and Gary has been a leader. The role of marketing is not just the immediate pay-out, which is difficult to prove, but also to stimulate people to come here, and to convince merchants with viable businesses to locate here.
Before coming to Carefree, Gary worked for the City of Scottsdale in a number of planning and related positions. A lot of what Carefree does relates to Scottsdale, things like water and sewer connections. Knowing those people and their operating approaches is immensely helpful. Gary also has developed knowledge and relationships with the people of Carefree over the years. Carefree has a different "personality" than Scottsdale or Phoenix, as each municipality does. Gary knows how to get things done here.
Because of Gary's expertise and reputation, Paradise Valley (PV) tried very hard to lure him to become their Town Manager. PV has a big budget and huge needs. They have the new Ritz Carlson Hotel, a $1-1/2 billion project, the largest development in the state, going in soon. Gary was one of 65 people they chose to review. After narrowing it down to 3, Gary was their selected choice. Gary wanted to stay in Carefree, and the feeling was mutual, so Carefree put on a full court press to retain him.
Mayor Peterson went to the League of Cities and Towns to ask about the procedure for finding a replacement in case Carefree failed to keep Gary. The Mayor was told that Gary would have to give a 60-90 day notice. After he left, an interim Town Administrator would be hired through a specialty firm for $8-10,000 per month. There would be a head hunter fee of $20-25,000 and a recruitment brochure cost of $3-5,000. No experienced Administrators are currently looking for jobs in the state, so it would involve flying in people from out of state for interviews, and moving costs would range from $20-25,000. After a typical period of 9-12 months to identify the individual to hire, it often takes 1 to 1-1/2 years for that individual to learn the State Statutes and become up to speed on what is happening in the State Legislature. The Mayor was told to count on 2 to 2-1/2 years of reduced effectiveness, and incremental costs of $150-175,000. Mayor Peterson feels delighted to keep Gary, who is very loyal to Carefree.
The League of Cities and Towns publishes the salaries for Town Managers/Administrators annually. Below is the most current list for many of the areas around Carefree.
Issue #713, December 21, 2018
Mayor Les Peterson said that Gary Neiss has worked for the Town and been the Town Administrator for going on 17 years. He is a very effective leader, with an unsurpassed memory that can recall minute details going back many, many years.
There are a magnitude of big issues in the works which include water service for the residents of western Carefree, economic development, and repair and maintenance of the approximately 106 miles of public roads. Roads are the Town's largest asset and greatest liability, and some have problems. The Carefree Water Company has been operating as a Water District, but now that the loans are paid off, it is time to integrate it into the Town operations this spring.
Marketing is one of the more visible areas, and Gary has been a leader. The role of marketing is not just the immediate pay-out, which is difficult to prove, but also to stimulate people to come here, and to convince merchants with viable businesses to locate here.
Before coming to Carefree, Gary worked for the City of Scottsdale in a number of planning and related positions. A lot of what Carefree does relates to Scottsdale, things like water and sewer connections. Knowing those people and their operating approaches is immensely helpful. Gary also has developed knowledge and relationships with the people of Carefree over the years. Carefree has a different "personality" than Scottsdale or Phoenix, as each municipality does. Gary knows how to get things done here.
Because of Gary's expertise and reputation, Paradise Valley (PV) tried very hard to lure him to become their Town Manager. PV has a big budget and huge needs. They have the new Ritz Carlson Hotel, a $1-1/2 billion project, the largest development in the state, going in soon. Gary was one of 65 people they chose to review. After narrowing it down to 3, Gary was their selected choice. Gary wanted to stay in Carefree, and the feeling was mutual, so Carefree put on a full court press to retain him.
Mayor Peterson went to the League of Cities and Towns to ask about the procedure for finding a replacement in case Carefree failed to keep Gary. The Mayor was told that Gary would have to give a 60-90 day notice. After he left, an interim Town Administrator would be hired through a specialty firm for $8-10,000 per month. There would be a head hunter fee of $20-25,000 and a recruitment brochure cost of $3-5,000. No experienced Administrators are currently looking for jobs in the state, so it would involve flying in people from out of state for interviews, and moving costs would range from $20-25,000. After a typical period of 9-12 months to identify the individual to hire, it often takes 1 to 1-1/2 years for that individual to learn the State Statutes and become up to speed on what is happening in the State Legislature. The Mayor was told to count on 2 to 2-1/2 years of reduced effectiveness, and incremental costs of $150-175,000. Mayor Peterson feels delighted to keep Gary, who is very loyal to Carefree.
The League of Cities and Towns publishes the salaries for Town Managers/Administrators annually. Below is the most current list for many of the areas around Carefree.
Town Attorney Mike Wright, Vice Mayor John Crane, and Councilwoman Cheryl Kroyer worked on updating Gary's contract. They recommended moving Gary's $125,000 a year salary up to $160,000, with the other proportionate benefits remaining the same. Mayor Peterson approved of these recommendations.
Ms. Kroyer said that in addition to the negotiations, a certain amount of begging was involved. It benefits everyone to keep Gary here. Vice Mayor Crane added that Carefree had been getting a bargain for the last 16 years. Given the upcoming opportunities and challenges, he felt Gary was the right man for our town. The Council unanimously approved Gary's updated contract. Mayor Peterson said he appreciates all that Gary does for this town.
Gary said this was a very humbling experience. In 17 years, he has been recruited by others but he is fiercely loyal to the organizations for which he works. Scottsdale was stunned that he left, but the opportunity with Carefree was very enticing. He loves the people and the community here, although he knows some people who would love to see him leave. The most important thing to him is the relationships. That was indelible in his mind when making his decision to stay. PV offered a tremendous professional opportunity. They have a significant budget, a significant number of employees, and significant development. It's a very elite community with signature projects for the state of Arizona.
But Gary's values are based on relationships cultivated within the community. Community is about the people, not the bricks and mortar. He thanked the dozens of citizens who thanked him for staying. It's like an extended family. We work through the issues and look at things proactively. It was very hard at the end of the day to say good-by when there are so many things yet to accomplish. He felt he would be leaving unfinished work and leaving relationships he adores. Carefree has a terrific organization, staff, and Council. He thanked the Council for their support. The Council thanked Gary.
https://vimeo.com/305232984
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Ms. Kroyer said that in addition to the negotiations, a certain amount of begging was involved. It benefits everyone to keep Gary here. Vice Mayor Crane added that Carefree had been getting a bargain for the last 16 years. Given the upcoming opportunities and challenges, he felt Gary was the right man for our town. The Council unanimously approved Gary's updated contract. Mayor Peterson said he appreciates all that Gary does for this town.
Gary said this was a very humbling experience. In 17 years, he has been recruited by others but he is fiercely loyal to the organizations for which he works. Scottsdale was stunned that he left, but the opportunity with Carefree was very enticing. He loves the people and the community here, although he knows some people who would love to see him leave. The most important thing to him is the relationships. That was indelible in his mind when making his decision to stay. PV offered a tremendous professional opportunity. They have a significant budget, a significant number of employees, and significant development. It's a very elite community with signature projects for the state of Arizona.
But Gary's values are based on relationships cultivated within the community. Community is about the people, not the bricks and mortar. He thanked the dozens of citizens who thanked him for staying. It's like an extended family. We work through the issues and look at things proactively. It was very hard at the end of the day to say good-by when there are so many things yet to accomplish. He felt he would be leaving unfinished work and leaving relationships he adores. Carefree has a terrific organization, staff, and Council. He thanked the Council for their support. The Council thanked Gary.
https://vimeo.com/305232984
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.