Genoa turns management over to county

Genoans approved a new job description Tuesday for their town manager, which makes it very clear that Candy Dance is a major part of the job, but decided to forego hiring a manager.

Town board members approved an interlocal agreement with Douglas County to provide management services for $45,000 a year, far less than the town would have paid a new manager.

However, the agreement says the town has to spend some of that money to bring its secretarial help up to full-time.

"We tried to structure this so there would be no net increase to the town," said County Manager Dan Holler, who served as town manager at the meeting.

Town Manager Tom Peters resigned effective Sept. 29. Peters was the third town manager in 20 months. Paul Williams resigned April 2005 and Mike Brown left in January.

Williams was the town's first manager. Prior to his hiring in 2002, the town had a secretary who divided management functions with the county.

Under the agreement approved Tuesday, either the county or the town could decide to withdraw with 90 days notice.

Town Board members will review the agreement after six months to see how things are going.

Most of the money going to the county, $35,000, will be applied toward finding an event coordinator to help with Candy Dance, Holler said.

The position would also be available to help with other Valley events, such as Wings of Change at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, which had to be canceled last year, or Carson Valley Days.

Resident Bill Brooks supported the contract.

"It's a no-brainer," he said. "You won't get a manager for $45,000 a year."

Board member Kitty DeSocio opposed the contract, saying she was concerned that there should be a manager in place in town to deal with emergencies.

"My concern is that there won't be someone in that chair making decisions," she said.

Holler agreed that would be a concern.

"In talking to the previous managers, they said it was a three-day a week job, but they were expected to be here five days a week," he said.

The town is also accepting applications for a chairperson for the annual Candy Dance Faire. Candy Dance is responsible for 80 percent of the town's revenue.

Board members questioned whether a chairperson would be needed with an events coordinator in place, but Holler urged them to find someone.

"The idea is to have the town involved," he said. "Candy Dance is a community event and it requires community involvement.