Aurora’s administrative ranks are growing, following council’s Dec. 16 decision to add two new non-union full-time positions.
Unable to attract a candidate to serve as the city’s assistant engineer, city leaders instead opted to create the position of an engineering inspector.
The annual salary range is $62,000 to $66,000. The person will act as a liaison between contractors, who mostly work through a superintendent, and Aurora’s Engineering Department. Among other duties, they will be responsible for the daily schedule of engineering inspections-related projects, including on-site observations and inspections of work in progress. The person will report to Aurora’s assistant director of public services and/or the city engineer.
Applicants must have at least two years of related experience or a combination of experience and training, and a degree in construction and civil engineering technology, construction management or a related field. Candidates who are already certified as a qualified erosion and sediment control inspector are preferred.
Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said the city has been looking for an assistant engineer since March, but has not been able to fill the position because, “apparently fewer people are going into civil engineering, and there is a lot of competition from private companies.”
Council also authorized adding the title of project coordinator to the service department’s executive administrative assistant. That position currently pays $26.24 an hour, or almost $55,000 a year. The new duties come with a new salary estimated at $56,000 to $60,000 a year.
Aurora’s Civil Service Commission will review and potentially approve both proposed positions in January.
Council also:
- Inked a $156,860 contract with Architectural Siding, Trim and Roofing, Inc. (A-STAR) to replace a facilities building roof at the former SeaWorld property. Crews will use the building while the new city park is under construction, and it will serve as a maintenance building once the park opens.
- Approved a $48,690 payment to Buckeye Power Sales for a portable diesel generator to power city-owned buildings in the event of a power outage. Council also agreed to pay $35,725 to Speelman Electric to improve city hall’s electric service so that it can accept the generator.
- Authorized a four-year extension of the city’s electric aggregation opt-out program for residents. Dynegy’s 4.94 cents/kWh pricing formula is only guaranteed through the end of this year.
- Signed a five-year lease with Carlton Farms of Mantua to continue farming 12.3 acres of city-owned property at 619 Bartlett Rd., for the sole purpose of agricultural farming. Carlton Farms’ cost is $1,750 a year for a lease effective Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2029. The property, previously owned by Ray Harmon, is still called Harmon Farm.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.