Label
Committee of the Whole
2/5/2024
Title
Councilwoman Gadus asks:
What programs will the Administrative Specialist III under Manager of Real Estate and Manager of Development be overseeing or helping to support
Body
Referral Response:
TO: Councilmember Gadus
THROUGH: Karen Poore, Deputy Mayor
FROM: Brandon Sehlhorst, Director of Economic Development
The Administrative Specialist III position under the Manager of Real Estate is an existing position in the department held by Carmen Watkins. Carmen provides vital support to the Manager of Real Estate in overseeing the City’s real estate portfolio comprising over 3,700 properties. Carmen responsibilities also encompass managing the City’s leases, licenses, Residential Tax Abatement, and Commercial and Industrial Tax Abatement programs.
In the 2024 budget, a new Administrative Specialist III position is proposed under the Manager of Development. This position would provide essential support to the Manager of Development in effectively managing the department’s array of incentive programs and business resources. Currently, the Manager of Development oversees the following programs:
1. Municipal Jobs Creation Tax Credit
2. Toledo Expansion Incentive
3. Façade Improvement Grant
4. White Box Grant
5. Enterprise Development Loan
6. Permit Planner
7. Pre-Development Meeting Program
8. District Improvement Program
It’s important to note, that neither Administrative Specialist III position involves clerical duties for the respective Manager positions.
In the approved 2023 Budget, the department initially proposed a third Manager position dedicated to overseeing business retention and expansion initiatives. However, following several staff vacancies in 2023, a reassessment led to the conclusion that existing employees could collectively handle these responsibilities for the upcoming year. Consequently, the department realigned its structure, placing the existing Administrative Specialist III position under the Manager of Real Estate and proposing a new Administrative Specialist III position under the Manager of Development. This restructuring not only provides better support for existing manager roles but also enhances the department's preparedness for future vacancies, ensuring continuity with backup support in the Administrative Specialist III positions.