Winona Lake Town Manager Craig Allebach, Council President Jim Lancaster and Councilman Austin Reynolds are shown at a meeting earlier this month. Photo by Deb Patterson.

By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE — Winona Lake Town Council approved the job description Tuesday, Oct. 29, for a new town manager and to advertise the position.

Current Town Manager Craig Allebach, earlier this month, submitted his intent to retire, effective the end of October or as soon as a replacement is found.

Some of the principal duties in the job description include assume full management responsibility for all town operations, including administrative services, finance, parks and recreation, public works and police services; recommend and administer policies and procedures; advise the town council of all events, proposals or inquiries that may have an impact on the community; direct the development and implementation of the town goals, objectives, policies and priorities; promote, coordinate and recommend economic development strategies and projects; provide for citizen awareness of town goals and operations by maintaining close contact with citizens, responding to questions and making public presentations; overseeing the development and administration of the town budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipments, materials and supplies; and approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.

Councilman Barry Andrew questioned the experience and education for the position per the job description.

The job description says “preference will be given to applicants who have a degree from an accredited university in business, finance, public administration, business management or related field. It is preferred that applicants have at least three years managerial experience in public administration, which includes responsibilities for operations, budgeting and managing personnel.”

Andrew said from his experience, degrees are usually required for certain positions. He said he didn’t know if the council wanted to possibly change the language in that part to require a degree. He also didn’t know if three years was enough for what the town manager position entails.

Councilman Jason Zaugg said he thought by not requiring a degree, it would open up the position and potentially allow more people to apply for the job. Councilwoman Ashley McGinnis said she agreed and said the job description said preference will be given to those who have degrees.

Council President Jim Lancaster said he didn’t know what the town manager market looked like since Winona Lake hadn’t had to look for someone for the position in 20-plus years.

McGinnis also asked about the difference between a town coordinator and a town manager. Winona Lake has an ordinance discussing a town coordinator and the job description states Winona Lake is looking for a town manager. McGinnis said the town handbook also references the town manager position.

Town attorney Adam Turner said under Indiana code, Allebach’s position is a town manager position, so the council may just have to clean up language in the ordinance to make it consistently say town manager.

Zaugg said he noticed at the bottom of the job description, it references a town coordinator. The council approved changing that reference to say town manager.

Allebach said the job will be posted to forums like Aim, among others.