DeKALB – With the appointment of a new DeKalb city manager unlikely by the time Patty Hoppenstedt leaves for Tennessee, the DeKalb City Council will vote Monday to appoint Finance Director Molly Talkington into the role.
Talkington’s appointment as interim city manager will be effective on the first day after Hoppenstedt’s resignation and will include a 10 percent increase in compensation in recognition of her additional duties. This will amount to an extra $1,285 a month.
The search continues to replace former City Manager Anne Marie Gaura, who resigned in March. DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith vowed the process will be open and transparent.
Although the process to find a permanent city manager is still in its infancy, developer Jim Mason has publicly announced his wish to serve as city manager for at least a year with possible expenses being worked out with city staff.
Smith said that although the city will request proposals from recruitment firms to aid in the city manager search, the process will not negate the idea of seeking a candidate within the city.
Before to the regular meeting, the City Council will review property condemnation procedures and notice during the Committee of the Whole meeting.
The city’s condemnation procedures received heavy scrutiny after officials condemned the Lord Stanley’s building at 142 E. Lincoln Highway and the Common Grounds building at 150 E. Lincoln Highway in April.
The Committee of the Whole meeting will be at 5 p.m. in the council chambers of the DeKalb Municipal Building, 200 S. Fourth St., and the regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m.