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City Manager Offers Views On Municipal Control At Meeting
By Shauna Marlette
Shauna.marlette@yankton.net
Pursuing their mission to bring community-minded young adults together, to strengthen Yankton through civic, social and leadership opportunities, Yankton Verve invited new city manager Doug Russell to speak at this months meeting.
“We thought that, with all that has gone on in the last 12 months of city government it would be a good opportunity to introduce the younger community, the (ages) 20-40 crowd, to the new city manager,” said Andy Holst, Yankton Verve committee member.
Russell began by identifying the four areas that a city manager deals with most commonly; revenues, value added opportunities, physical challenges and managing emotional crisis.
He explained that our society is moving from a value-based to a more consumer-based society. This change has forced city managers to reevaluate how they present municipal products to the residents of their towns and cities.
“Consider the value of water,” Russell said. “Water costs approximately $5 for a thousand gallons from the municipal system. Compare that to the strong popularity of bottled water and the high costs associated with each bottle. What is the difference that makes bottled water appealing? More important, how can we demonstrate and package our products/services in a way that the value is recognized?”
This is an ongoing question that Russell faces as city manager and it plays into other aspects of his position, as well. For example, he noted the recent rate increase in water costs.
“The recent rate increase was necessary to cover our costs and growth issues,” Russell said. “Now it is a matter of showing the community that the extra value is there and the need is justified.”
Russell, who took over the position of Yankton city manager in July, noted the hardest situation he has had to deal with as a city manager is working with a community in emotional crisis. He referenced his previous position in Kansas and how that city dealt with the tragic murder of a local resident.
He emphasized that being able to offer all of the services needed in a time of community crisis comes down to proper preparation and organization.
“Advanced preparation is extremely important,” Russell said. “You have to train in advance and make sure our employees have the resources, equipment and confidence to handle situations that arise.
“During a crisis, we need to be able to deflect the outside stimulus in order to make sure our system is functioning and still be able to reassure the community that the situation is being handled in a manner that meets their interests.”
Russell said the biggest challenge faced by cities and city managers moving into the future is the prospect of change. He noted that determining how to manage change and recognize when change is needed is key.
“The first thing we need to ask is what is our vision,” he said. “Everything starts with a vision followed by objectives and strategies. Continually, we need to evaluate our activities according to the success of reaching our objectives. Through this process, we can define a road map for appropriate change that has a lasting impact within the organization or community.”
The next meeting of Verve will be held at noon Wednesday, Nov. 12 at Minerva's. Visit www.yanktonverve.com for more information.
“We thought that, with all that has gone on in the last 12 months of city government it would be a good opportunity to introduce the younger community, the (ages) 20-40 crowd, to the new city manager,” said Andy Holst, Yankton Verve committee member.
Russell began by identifying the four areas that a city manager deals with most commonly; revenues, value added opportunities, physical challenges and managing emotional crisis.
He explained that our society is moving from a value-based to a more consumer-based society. This change has forced city managers to reevaluate how they present municipal products to the residents of their towns and cities.
“Consider the value of water,” Russell said. “Water costs approximately $5 for a thousand gallons from the municipal system. Compare that to the strong popularity of bottled water and the high costs associated with each bottle. What is the difference that makes bottled water appealing? More important, how can we demonstrate and package our products/services in a way that the value is recognized?”
This is an ongoing question that Russell faces as city manager and it plays into other aspects of his position, as well. For example, he noted the recent rate increase in water costs.
“The recent rate increase was necessary to cover our costs and growth issues,” Russell said. “Now it is a matter of showing the community that the extra value is there and the need is justified.”
Russell, who took over the position of Yankton city manager in July, noted the hardest situation he has had to deal with as a city manager is working with a community in emotional crisis. He referenced his previous position in Kansas and how that city dealt with the tragic murder of a local resident.
He emphasized that being able to offer all of the services needed in a time of community crisis comes down to proper preparation and organization.
“Advanced preparation is extremely important,” Russell said. “You have to train in advance and make sure our employees have the resources, equipment and confidence to handle situations that arise.
“During a crisis, we need to be able to deflect the outside stimulus in order to make sure our system is functioning and still be able to reassure the community that the situation is being handled in a manner that meets their interests.”
Russell said the biggest challenge faced by cities and city managers moving into the future is the prospect of change. He noted that determining how to manage change and recognize when change is needed is key.
“The first thing we need to ask is what is our vision,” he said. “Everything starts with a vision followed by objectives and strategies. Continually, we need to evaluate our activities according to the success of reaching our objectives. Through this process, we can define a road map for appropriate change that has a lasting impact within the organization or community.”
The next meeting of Verve will be held at noon Wednesday, Nov. 12 at Minerva's. Visit www.yanktonverve.com for more information.
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