The Cleveland City Council has unanimously approved a contract with Joe Fivas as the next city manager.
The council also created a new position, assistant city manager/chief financial officer. It is now one of two assistant city manager positions. Assistant City Manager Melinda Carroll will continue her management role with the title of assistant city manager/operations. Both positions will report to the city manager.
The city manager contract was negotiated between Mr. Fivas and a three-member committee appointed by the council. The committee included Councilman Dale Hughes, Human Resources Director Jeff Davis and Consultant Larry Wallace.
The contract, which spells out salary and benefits, is effective Aug. 11. The contract is subject to the successful completion of a physical examination, a pre-employment drug test and a psychological examination.
The contract includes an annual salary of $140,000, plus a $350 monthly car allowance. The contract includes reimbursement for family relocation expenses from North Carolina. It includes vacation and sick day provisions. It also includes a severance provision with six months pay and benefits should the council remove Mr. Fivas, unless the removal involves misconduct in office.
"I think we have a winner in Mr. Fivas," said Councilman Hughes.
Mayor Tom Rowland said the Fivas family is looking forward to moving to Cleveland.
Councilman Richard Banks thanked the citizens committee that evaluated the 63 initial applicants.
Councilman George Poe said he received citizen comments asking that the process not be prolonged. "The City Council has done exactly what the taxpayers asked them to do," Mr. Poe said.
The Council's first annual evaluation of Mr. Fivas will be completed by the fourth Monday in February, 2017.
Mr. Fivas succeeds Janice Casteel who retired in May.