Columbia Falls city manager wants fewer hours, lower pay

Columbia Falls City Manager Bill Shaw is asking for a more flexible work schedule and with it a reduction in pay.

Shaw told the City Council on Monday that with the slowdown in building and planning, there appears to be less reason for him to spend most of his time in his City Hall office.

He would like to spend more time working from home and pursuing consulting work.

He is asking for a reduction of his salary by $7,500.

The City Council seemed OK with the change, but expressed concerns.

Councilman Dave Petersen said he was worried  the public would get the perception that there is a part-time city manager.

“I think the message needs to be that we have a city manager here on the job,” he said. He suggested that Shaw post regular office hours that he would be in City Hall and available.

Shaw agreed to the condition. Other council members felt the requirement is unnecessary.

Councilman Mike Shepard commended Shaw, noting that he had previously offered to reduce his salary when planning work dropped off.

“You don’t see the other city managers twice now turning money back to the city,” he said.

Shaw also requested to live outside the city limits. His current contract requires that he reside inside the city.

Shaw purchased a second home five miles south of Columbia Falls in December 2009.

Since then, he said, he has spent a great deal of time restoring the house and working the farm it sits on. He plans to continue to own a house in the city but will not live there.

“A city manager should have a connection to the community,” he said. “The city manager should live a life that’s going to be affected by the council’s decisions.”

By continuing to own the house in the city, Shaw said, he will retain that connection.

Shaw plans to spend more time working on the out-of-town property and the flexible work schedule would be beneficial to that.

He said he would continue to remain reasonably available to the city at all times, except when on vacation.

He pointed out that with advances in technology, such as e-mail and cell phones, a city manager can be available without living in the city.

The City Council said it would approve Shaw’s request and asked him to return with the proposed changes to his contract. Whether or not Shaw will be required to maintain regular office hours was left undecided .

The City Council will look at the contract at its next meeting on Jan. 18.