Deborah Hammond has been hired to fill a new position at Parkville’s City Hall.
Board members voted unanimously at last week’s alderman meeting to create the position titled assistant to the city administrator.
Hammond’s job will include researching legal matters, being a back-up for the city clerk, reviewing the city attorney’s billings, and other duties assigned by the mayor and city administrator.
“The City of Parkville has grown so much and both the mayor and city administrator need help with their duties,” said Hammond. “I’ll be assisting them in a variety of ways as well as being a liaison for legal issues.”
This job was advertised successfully in three publications and had 34 applicants. Joe Turner, Parkville’s city administrator, recommended Hammond to the board of aldermen who make the final decision. Turner said this position has already been approved in the 2007 budget.
“The decision to hire Deborah was easy because she has very good credentials,” Turner said. “She has both a degree from Park in legal studies and experience in the field.”
Hammond has resided in southern Platte County for over 15 years. She will be leaving her post as a court monitoring specialist for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers when she begins Thursday, Feb. 15. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in legal studies with a minor in political science from Park University.
Her starting salary with the city will be $32,000.
Hammond said whether her daily duties include answering phones, providing legal advice, or making coffee when needed, she is ready to take on this new task.
“Everything we do is for the citizen’s benefit,’ she said. “It’s all about how we can better serve the community. I have the utmost respect for the staff at city hall and we’re a team. I’m looking forward to working with everyone.”