The City has issued the following press release:
After last night’s interview, Mayor Ardis, City Council Members, and Mr. Urich, agreed that both sides would like to continue discussions towards a possible contract offer. A meeting between Mr. Urich, the Mayor and two Council Members, will be arranged soon to establish a framework to develop contract specifics. The council is expected to discuss a proposal in executive session after Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
It appears the skids are greased for Patrick Urich to be the next City Manager, well before council elections take place in April.
Does Mr. Urich live in the city of peoria?
I’ll bet that was the shortest interview in history. Now the only question is the start date.
Martin — Yes. In fact, he lives across the street from me.
I have no issues at all with Mr. Urich. I’m sure he is a swell guy and may very well be an administrative Mozart. However, I am dismayed that the Peoria City Manager job isn’t even posted in the employment section of the City of Peoria website. I’d prefer to not have a long and expensive search for a new City Manager, but could it hurt to officially post the position and see what kind of talent might be out there? This current “one-man” search reeks of the proverbial “Smoke-filled room.” I’d prefer a bit more transparency and adherence to proper procedure in filling this crucial role.
Smells a little, don’t it?
I am sure that if there are more LOCAL city/county administrator types in the area, they knew there was a vacancy in the City Manager position and have plenty of time to make their interest known to all the powers that be. I am surprised that anyone that knows what they are getting into would even want the job. Nice paycheck, but miserable working environment!!
It may smell a little, I’m not sure. I am, though, encouraged by the thought of having a local resident, who is invested in Peoria, becoming the city manager rather than somebody from a slightly smaller city who’d be using this as a rung towards a slightly larger city. I think we need someone who wants Peoria to thrive for Peoria’s sake, not for his career’s sake.
Patrick would be great for the City; the City would not be good, to or for, Patrick.
Was he complicit in the PRM crime?
Or the blacktop crime?
The questions to ask are:
1. what was the salary offer and benefits by the county?
2. What was the counter offer?
3. What will be the cost to the taxpayers: include total cost of contract?
reason to ask. 13-14 million $ projected budget shortfall. Any expense needs to be questioned and justified.
Vonster: imo, yes squared!
I agree that someone invested in Peoria would be great.
No one called me.
This is a very smart move for Peoria. Get it done.
District 150:
What will you vote to cut to pay Urich’s salary and benefits? 13-14 million already must be cut from the budget? Even more police–as fire doesn’t get cut….more city staff, close down city hall for business to one day a week and hire temps? Roads are already falling apart. Or just wait until after elections to significantly raise the property taxes?
The person in charge is crucial to running city government—absolutely crucial. His pay is insignificant if you get the right guy. You can’t think small when you are hiring the most important position in the city government.
Parick Urich,like all in management is not perfect. But the city is doing the best thing for the community. I disagreed with Mr. Urich on more than one issue. He told me that “I kept him on his toes”. Unfortunately, all the years of my service to the voters, I was a member of minority, and like a certain city council member, sometimes was the only no vote like even starting down the lending road to FireFly. My vote against staying in the nurisng home business started out with just me and ended up too late with 7 no votes.
Urich can be critized for not offereing a third option, sell, remodel or rebuild but he knew the Democrat and union controlled board did not want to get out this business County Board members have proven they don’t know much about. And may know less what the goverment plans to do with Medicaid.
The biggest block to Uni-Gov will be the unions and some leaders with big egos of which Peoria has a preponderance.
District 150—it tax payer money. no expenditure is insignificant. that thinking has gotten the city, state and feds in the issues they are in. I wish my household could run like that, but we have finite resources and have to get the best we can afford. Besides, the city council micromanages the position so much they keep driving managers out, that too is a waste of taxpayer money.
We can afford Mr. Urich. That is not a problem.