Cedar Rapids Weather
James ProsserLisle, IL
• MPA; Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs; Syracuse University —1974
• BA.; This University of Illinois, Chicago - 1973 CURRENT POSITION Executive Vice President; Ehlers & Associates — 1999 to Present • Financial consulting firm serving municipal clients in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. • Heads the Illinois Division. • Provides goal setting, strategic and financial planning, public participation process management, issue management, communications, municipal facility financing, redevelopment management services and financing. CURRENT COMPENSATION $175,000 PREVIOUS POSITIONS • City Manager; City of Richfield, MN (pop. 38,000) —1986 to 1999 - Number of employees: 220 - Union Employees: Four unions - Total Budget: $51 million • Village Manager; Village of Hazel Crest, IL (pop. 14,000) —1979 to 1986 • Village of Glen Ellyn, IL (pop. 25,000) Director of Management Services — 1976 to 1979 Assistant to the Village Manager —1974 to 1976 • Intern/Administrative Assistant; City of Wood Dale, IL — 1972 to 19.73 Achievements • Redeveloped major portions of Richfield and developed incentives for residents to expand, remodel and reinvest in their homes. • Maintained an excellent financial position and an AA-3 financial rating. • Leadership in managing in a multicultural environment. • Extensive experience in economic development on a regional and local basis. • Experience in State legislative initiatives to address local and regional efforts. BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE Transitioning to a new form of government: • No specific experience. • Would identify what is working and not working, then develop a framework for operations, establish goals and work programs. • Need to work on accountability and role responsibilities. Department reorganization plans for Cedar Rapids: • Need to refine reporting relationships, especially along functional roles. • Time frame depends on elected officials and staff. Needs to happen within a year. • Recognize that this is the reason they made the change. Governance: • Prefers the Carver Governance model. - • Uses a modified form to incorporate a more structured decision making model. Strategic Planning: • Has developed strategic and financial planning models directed at establishing decision-making for elected officials. • Extensive in current and previous roles. • Recognizes the importance of identifying a realistic set of goals and the need for the elected officials to evaluate progress m “bite size” chunks. Joint/Shared Services in Current Position: • Has purchased services from other cities and shared communications, insurance, housing, human services and economic development functions and services. CANDIDATE SUMMARY Mr. Prosser believes staff should have dearly defined expectations and stated that he has a good understanding of front line activities. He thinks an organization should reflect the values of the community and he strives to establish effective working relationships with businesses, institutions and the legislature. He views the role of die City Manager as a coordinator and communicator and the implementer of Council decisions. Mr. Prosser’s career plans have always included returning to city management. He said his work as a consultant has helped him refine disciplined and objective approaches to problem solving and has exposed him to a wide variety of communities with issues similar to those facing Cedar Rapids. Mr. Prosser believes that Cedar Rapids has a reputation as a strong progressive city with good economics. He likes the ambitious challenges facing the city and stated that he is good at providing leadership for change. More Good Stuff |
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