Indianola is once again on the lookout for a new city clerk as negotiations over the salary of Lisa Wynn, the previous candidate, failed to result in a hire.
During Monday's meeting, the board convened in a closed session to discuss personnel matters, including Wynn's salary, which lasted less than an hour.
Mayor Ken Featherstone had initially proposed the idea of entering a closed session at the beginning of the meeting due to Wynn's presence and her need to travel back home afterward. However, none of the aldermen made a motion to proceed with the closed session, leading the board to continue with the regular session, lasting approximately two hours.
Despite the previous decision by city lawmakers to hire Wynn at a salary of $55,000, the board was unable to come to terms with her regarding the salary during the closed session.
The earlier decision had also specified that any salary increase would be contingent upon a satisfactory evaluation by the board within 90 days.
"We have to make sure that everything meets board approval. We have to make sure that it is agreeable on all sides," Featherstone emphasized when speaking to The Enterprise-Tocsin about the ongoing search for a city clerk.
With negotiations at an impasse, the aldermen decided to advertise the position, signaling their intent to explore alternative candidates for the role. The position of city clerk carries significant responsibility, overseeing administrative and clerical tasks critical to the smooth functioning of the city's operations.
Indianola residents and stakeholders can expect regular updates on the progress of the search for a city clerk, with the board eager to fill the vacancy promptly and efficiently.
