The city's new Communications Manager (Public Information), Dan Ferguson, will be making $65,000 with us. His salary at Jackson County was $47,964. Not a bad jump, eh?
Last year when the city manager asked for the position (PIO) there was much discussion by the council as to a.) was the position really necessary and b.) compensation..
Well, the position got approved and was advertised. The first job posting was on 11/1/2013
JOB POSTING 2013
DEPARTMENT: Administration
JOB TITLE: Public Information Officer
STARTING SALARY: Starting Salary: $56,388 - $64,800 (DOQ)
Application Deadline: First review of resumes beginning November 15, 2013, open until filled
When the position was not or could not be filled it was reposted on 2/19/2014
Job Posting
Position: Communications Manager
Department: Administration
Hiring Salary: $60,000 - $69,000 (DOQ)
Position Open Until Filled
First review of application materials beginning March 21, 2014.
Apparently the city could not find a qualified individual at the original stated salary range? So it was advertised again, at a higher salary range. Heck, a 20% bump would have put the individual in the first salary range, and under $60,000.
Is this person going to truly and honestly disseminate information to the public or will we get city sanctioned deception & misinformation. We know that the city manager thinks that local bloggers pass along bad info.
Will we get a bunch of "two man race" statements. Reporter and PIO get in a two man race. Reporter wins. When asked, reporter says he won. When asked PIO says he came in second and reporter came in next to last.
Anyway, click on the embedded image below and look at the salaries for various PIO individuals at the Kansas State government level. Note that the Director of Communications for the Governor was paid less than $42K last year. I wish Mr. Ferguson well. He himself can't be faulted for getting the most out of the deal. Oh, before anybody has a tizzy fit, the salaries of ALL individuals paid with tax dollars have to be made available to the public.
WARNING!!!!!! The City Manager of Shawnee has determined that local bloggers post items that may contain bad or misinformation. Please read these posts with care and determine for yourself whether the information is valid.
