THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 14, 1994 TAG: 9407140676
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Two weeks after laying off 35 employees, the city manager expanded his executive staff, saying the shuffle would allow him to spend more time trying to make his bosses happy.
City Manager V. Wayne Orton said the city would actually save money by adding three executive positions.
Two of the three executives are already on the city payrolls and will get no raise, despite new titles and responsibilities, he said.
The third, a chief financial officer, will be hired from the private sector at less than what the just-retired deputy city manager was paid, Orton said.
Orton, who was recently the target of a citizens' ouster petition, said he wants to build a better relationship with City Council and community leaders. He also wants to spend more time luring businesses to Portsmouth and working on economic development projects.
``The reorganization will enable me to do things that are absolutely essential for me,'' Orton said. ``Right now I don't have enough time to talk to the council; to get to know their wants and desires, their wishes and goals. I'll also have more time to spend with business and civic leaders.''
Orton announced Wednesday that his new deputy city manager will be H. Timothy Little, 53, the city's computer expert.
To help Little, Orton has moved C.W. ``Luke'' McCoy, 53, director of general operations, into a newly created position of assistant city manager.
Both McCoy, who has worked for the city 19 years, and Little, who has 25 years of service, will continue overseeing their departments.
Little is paid $83,034 a year while McCoy receives $81,453 annually.
During Orton's first reorganization in 1990, both men received 10 percent pay increases. With cost-of-living raises, their salaries have increased by more than another 11 percent each since then.
Orton said he hopes to hire the chief financial officer at an annual salary of $57,000 to $70,000.
A recent efficiency study that recommended layoffs at City Hall led to the elimination of two top management positions: human services director and director of manpower and quality development.
Orton now has a staff that includes a deputy city manager, an assistant city manager, a chief financial officer, two executives and six department heads who report directly to him. Under the new organization, the police and fire chiefs also will answer to Orton. The city has about 1,800 employees.
Orton said he now has fewer department heads, and that the executive responsibilities are different.
``I don't want to do any more budgets,'' Orton said. ``That's not the city manager's job. There's a new reality that's a lot different from what we've done.''
With the additional help, Orton said, he'll also have more time to promote the city and to ``attract and encourage'' economic development.
Orton hopes to get the new financial executive from the banking industry. He said recent layoffs in that sector should have produced a ``glut of talented'' financial experts looking for a job.
The new executive will be responsible for the finance department and will have the power to reorganize it, Orton said. He also will supervise purchasing, budgeting, accounting and benefits.
Orton said the city is faced with a ``severe economic challenge, like most older cities.''
``We have worked hard to address our fiscal challenges,'' Orton said. ``I feel a great need to add a resource that can provide us greater leadership and financial ability - and more precise financial information.''
During his tenure as city manager, Orton has emphasized downsizing and reducing spending. Through those efforts the city has been able to keep a fairly strong bond rating and has avoided recent real estate tax increases.
``There's an inclination to believe I'm the boy who cries wolf,'' Orton said. ``We still have financial challenges in front of us. Our financial stresses are apparent.''
Orton said the new financial officer will prepare future budgets and look for ways to put the city on a better economic footing.
Orton said he chose Little and McCoy as the other two members of his executive team because they complement each other.
McCoy and Little said they tend to look at things from different angles. Little is more analytical, both said, and McCoy tends to jump into an issue.
``Luke deals with the public more,'' Little said. ``I tend to bring focus and direction behind the scenes.''
Deputy City Manager Roy W. Cherry, who retired this month, was earning $94,474. He'll receive 60 percent of his salary under the retirement plan. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
Little
McCoy
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CITY EMPLOYEES
by CNB