$90,000 for General manager defended

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 280, 28 March 1989, Page 3

$90,000 for General manager defended

This week the Ruapehu District Transition Committee looks at appointing a general manager, a position that may win a salary package of $90,000.

Committee chairman Garrick Workman has said the $90,000 is the total package, so a car and house - often supplied with such a position - would come out of that figure. He also told the Bulletin it may be that the committee appoints a person with a package less than the top figure. He said the total cost to the council would range from $75,000 to $90,000. The reason for the huge package is to try to attract the right person to this area, said Mr Workman. The general manager of the new district council will be responsible for the council's operations, which

cover an area of 786,000 hectares, includes a population of 20,000 and has a combined rates turnover of $20 million. Reasonable Morgan and Banks

management consultants general manager Peter O'Sullivan told the Bulletin the $90,000 maximum as a package was quite reasonable considering the responsibilities of the position. Morgan and Banks are dealing with the appointment of a num-

ber of district general managers around the country. Mr O'Sullivan said some of the new authorities of a similar size were offering more. The Govemment was aiming to make local authorities, and their managers, more accountable to their

communities and there will be much more pressure on managers to perform, said Mr O'Sullivan. "For too long New Zealand citizens and ratepayers have got exactly what they've paid for in terms of management," said Mr O'Sullivan. He said that did not

mean there was anything wrong with present town clerks and managers. Rather, that many would be suitable for the new positions created around the country. Stressful "If we want a better deal we've got to give the top managers a better deal," he said. The job of a district general manager would be very stressful, with long and irregular hours, he said. Council district manjager's salaries would

have to be approved by the Higher Salaries Commission, said Mr O'Sullivan. He said the $90,000 package for Ruapehu District was "about smack on" the Commission's recommendations. As far as existing staff are concerned Mr O'Sullivan said it would be very important for the decision on the appointment of a general manager to be taken with care, to help build the team needed to carry out the council's tasks.