Ask Mr. Answer Person: "Why were the advertised qualifications for (City of Decorah) Water Department Superintendent lowered to Level 2?"

Phil e-mails Mr. Answer Person: "Why were the advertised qualifications for (City of Decorah) Water Department Superintendent lowered to Level 2?  So the current employees would be able to apply?"

Mr. Answer Person says: The City's Personnel Committee decided to change the job qualifications to Level II instead of Level III.  Personnel Committee chair Rachel Vagts says the change was made "on the advice of the Water Department."  Vagts says the Finance Committee will still prefer to hire someone with Level 3 qualifications, but those qualifications were needed when the Water Superintendent and Sewer Superintendent jobs were combined--mainly because of the demands of the Sewer Superintendent position.

In any case, 11 applications have been received for the position, including three from existing Water Department employees.  Interviews with candidates for the job will begin soon.  Current Water Superintendent Dave Pahlas retires January 1st.