ANDERSON, Ind. —
The Board of Public Work approved a 12-month contract to hire Greg Winkler as a consultant to serve in the position of interim economic development director.
According to the contract, which was presented and voted on during a meeting Tuesday, Winkler will be paid $10,500 per month, equaling $126,000 in 2012.
Winkler has been working in that position since Mayor Kevin Smith took office on Jan. 1.
As stated in the contract, Winkler will lead the city’s economic development, planning and community development departments. His job, essentially, will be to secure new companies and jobs for the city, the contract said.
Winkler will cover his own expenses, such as his cell phone, client entertainment, business lunches and national travel including flights, mileage, and meals. But the city will cover expenses associated with international travel and the cost to participate in trade shows, the contract states.
Winkler, a contractor, will also have to pay for his own health insurance, retirement plan and vacation time.
Winkler was contracted for the same position during Smith’s previous administration in 2004-2007 at a cost of $144,000 per year. As part of that contract, the city paid for his expenses.
Wayne Huffman, the city’s human resources director, said that former economic development director Linda Dawson had a gross salary of $88,125. When combined with the benefits the city paid, including health insurance, vacation time and longevity pay, her gross salary was $95,183. The city covered Dawson’s expenses, which included international travel, but that figure was not available.
Winkler will dedicate at least 50 hours a week to his Anderson job, which he will perform through his economic development consulting firm, Lead Climber. He will continue to work as a consultant for Brevini Wind USA in Muncie, and said he will devote 20 hours a week to that job.
Resident Bill Jackson and former mayoral candidate Rob Jozwiak attended the public meeting and fired off several questions and comments during the discussion.
“Are there any benchmarks for him to meet that would be typical for anyone in that position?” Jackson asked.
City attorney Jason Childers said that the contract states Winkler’s scope of services and requires him to meet with Smith at least twice a month to discuss his projects and progress. His work will be evaluated near the end of the year to determine whether his contract will be renewed.
Board of Public Works member Bob Schuler said that Winkler has a good track record with the city. Winkler was a key player in bringing Nestle, Affiliated Computer Services and Altair Nanotechnologies, Schuler said.
Jozwiak suggested that an anti-competition clause be included in the contract so that Winkler would not take his job leads elsewhere after his contract elapses.
William Byer Jr., the assistant city attorney, noted that if Winkler were to negotiate with companies, and then leave the job and take his clients elsewhere, he would be in violation of the contract.
Contact Melanie Hayes: 648-4250 or melanie.hayes@heraldbulletin.com.
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Greg Winkler was rehired Tuesday as Anderson's economic development director. John P. Cleary
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