By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — Some sections of the local government study by the Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies may sound familiar to Mattoon officials.

There are challenges amid the city’s daily workings that can be traced to a mix of governing structures at city hall, according to the 121-page draft report of the NIU study, commissioned by the city council and submitted earlier this month for review and possible corrections to produce the final version.

The finished report, which is costing the city $25,990, may be a guide for future changes in Mattoon’s government.

But leaders tried to correct what many call an unclear command structure at city hall last year through a referendum calling for a change to a city manager form of government. Proponents said it would help streamline government in Mattoon by centralizing administration with the city manager, but the referendum was defeated overwhelmingly by voters at the polls. Some voters expressed concerns over creating a non-elected position with too much power.

One key problem cited in the NIU analysis of city administration is the “hybrid system of government” in Mattoon that mixes a chief administrative officer within the structure of the commission form of government. The NIU team stated in the draft report that the current organization of work in city hall does not “fully capitalize on duties spelled out for the position in the city code.”

The report states that the mayor, commissioners and administrator “share” administrative leadership, and that has “contributed to confusion and inconsistency across the organization” for coordinating action, communications and long-range planning.

The analysis team noted overlapping duties and powers for the city administrator and members of the council, including the mayor, as stated within city ordinances. This only “confuses the true lines of authority and chain of command,” the NIU group stated.

For now, the city is concentrating on hiring a new city administrator. The position has been filled on an interim basis by John Kolata since July following the retirement of Alan Gilmore after three years on the job.

Another recommendation from the NIU report calls for privatizing more city duties, such as mowing, to have city workers concentrate on other tasks.

That is another familiar idea for Mattoon leaders. Using private contractors has caused debates on the city council in recent years. When contractors were hired for mowing Dodge Grove Cemetery, they ended their contracts quickly, citing the difficulty of the work. The city went back to using municipal workers to complete the mowing.

This past summer, the city hired contractors to complete sidewalk repairs for its walking route program. The work progressed well, officials said, but there was debate at council meetings on whether contracted labor is the best option for saving money on sidewalk work.

The NIU study has called for a private concession at Lake Mattoon to provide income to the city. Another recommendation suggests trying again on mowing at the cemetery through “prequalification of potential bidders” and specific performance criteria.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

Published on Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:08 PM CST
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