Lahner to leave for Waukesha

By Jennifer Eisenbart

Editor

City of Burlington Administrator Kevin Lahner says he wasn’t looking for a new job. One just happened to find him.

Lahner was announced Friday as the new city administrator for the City of Waukesha.

Lahner’s contract has yet to be approved by the Waukesha City Council, but that is expected to occur in the next few weeks. His first day in his new job will likely be Jan. 19.

“It really boils downs to where it’s a really good opportunity,” Lahner said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. “It’s something that doesn’t come along very often…especially in this state.

“From my perspective, from whether or not to take the position, this was a really good fit,” he added. “It wasn’t something that I was actively looking for.

“It’s just something that came up and it just worked out.”

Lahner told city staff about his decision Friday and then made the hiring public that afternoon using Twitter.

“Mixed emotions today,” Lahner tweeted. “Excited for my new gig, but sad to say goodbye to the great folks at Burlington City Hall.”

Lahner’s new job offer isn’t shocking news. Burlington almost lost Lahner to the City of Elk River, Minn., in the fall of 2011. Then, in a hastily called closed-session meeting, the City Council approved a new contract for Lahner, raising his salary from $116,000 a year to $133,000.

However, a catch in that contract could cost Lahner some money now, as it stated he would have to pay back that money earned in the raise if he left any time in the next five years.

That would mean Lahner would have to pay back approximately $51,000.

“I’m talking to the council about that,” Lahner said, referring to the Burlington Common Council. “For me, it’s really not a big issue.”

Waukesha hiring

Waukesha received 48 applications for the position, and interviewed candidates in November, according to a press release.

In the release, Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said the hiring committee was impressed with Lahner’s “professional demeanor, extensive experience and his leadership and management style, which we believe are an excellent fit for the Waukesha community and organization.”

Lahner said Friday he understood that he was the only finalist for the position.

“Every time that that happens, it’s very surprising,” said Lahner, adding that he was humbled by it. “I was very pleased that I was such a good fit with the hiring committee up there.”

In the press release, Reilly touted Lahner’s experience with economic development and downtown redevelopment as important factors in his hiring, as well as his “extensive experience in financing, scheduling and oversight of major capital improvements.”

The City of Burlington has worked through several projects in the seven years Lahner has been here, including repairs on Milwaukee Avenue, the downtown redevelopment project – including the parking structure and hotel – and the new combined Department of Public Works facility.

Lahner also instituted the city’s Budget Partners, an annual process in which a panel of citizens are brought in to help the city set budget priorities.

Legacy in Burlington

Lahner said Tuesday that he didn’t want to cite specific projects. Instead, he was most proud of creating a cohesive team approach with city staff.

“I think our employees are incredible people, and do an incredible job,” said Lahner, adding that people were able to come together and work toward common goals.

Lahner also said the city’s financials are in order after having to deal with some challenging times.

He is also proud of the new Department of Public Works building.

“For me, it was somewhat symbolic,” Lahner explained. “It was something that needed to be done. It was a project that was continually not done. It was avoided. It was disappointing the condition we had our employees working in.”

The combining of several city departments into one building created a teamwork approach to many city functions, he added.

“People are sharing more ideas,” Lahner said. “There’s more efficiencies created. There’s cross-training.”

Critics surface

Like most public officials, Lahner also had his critics. He took some heat during the train horn issue in the summer of 2013, where the city had the wrong date on paperwork and had to suffer through about three months of train horns sounding through the city until a quiet zone could be re-established.

When the story of Lahner’s new job was posted on Facebook Friday, several people ­criticized the city administrator’s handling of the fire and rescue squabbles that have been ongoing since the results of a cooperative effort study were announced last year.

The Burlington Area Rescue Squad is currently working to renegotiate its contract with the city. The rescue squad and the city have agreed to work cooperatively after several disagreements over the last six months.

Lahner said simply he’d done the best he could – and that in a public job, public criticism went with it.

“I really don’t think about them,” Lahner said of the critics. “I do the best job I can do every day. I’m proud of the work we do.

“That just comes with the territory,” he added. “It is what it is, and it’s part of the job, and I accept it.”

Moving forward

City of Burlington Mayor Bob Miller said last week the city would likely engage a hiring firm to find Lahner’s successor.

For Lahner’s hiring, as well as that of City Police Chief Peter Nimmer and Fire Chief Perry Howard, the city engaged Voorhees And Associated.

A closed-session meeting of the City Council was scheduled Tuesday to discuss that issue.

Miller said Lahner’s departure will leave a void.

“He will be missed very much,” Miller said.

“If you look at where the city was seven years ago to where it is today … he’s done an outstanding job, bar none,” Miller added.

City Council President Tom Vos felt the same way.

“I’m sorry to see him go,” Vos said. “I knew he was a quality person when we hired him, and I think Waukesha’s getting a great guy.”

Vos said he hasn’t had anyone personally contact him in terms of criticism of Lahner’s work.

When asked how long it would take to find Lahner’s replacement, Miller said, “It depends.” The city first has to decide whether or not to use Voorhees, or instead send out for bids.

He guessed the whole process could take anywhere from three to six months.