With Jim Spinelli's announcement on Thursday, Sept. 6, that he's stepping down from his post as city administrator at the end of September, Hailey will have lost four staff members since July.
Spinelli is ending his term with the city to return to the Hailey Chamber of Commerce as executive director, a position he vacated almost exactly one year ago. The move comes close on the heels of resignations by Planning Director Kathy Grotto, Police Chief Brian McNary and Public Works Director Ray Hyde. While Beth Robrahn has replaced Grotto as head of the Planning Department, the latter two positions have yet to be filled.
While Spinelli was out of town and unable to comment, a press release from Mayor Susan McBryant stated that Spinelli has developed a departure plan and schedule for the next few weeks and expects a smooth transition.
"In recent conversations and evaluations of goals, his primary area of interest has consistently been economic development," McBryant stated in the release. "Returning to the chamber takes him to the work he loves, bolstered with a greater understanding of the roles of government and commerce."
Hailey Chamber President Michael Beck echoed McBryant's sentiments about the benefits the chamber will garner through Spinelli's time in city office.
"We have a close relationship with the government because of the local option tax," Beck said during a recent interview. "Hopefully Jim can help us get the biggest bang for the buck."
The city has budgeted the chamber $10,000 for the upcoming fiscal year, though Beck said that figure wasn't final and would depend on the chamber's developing a program with its objectives to present to city officials.
Beck added that such a plan has yet to be decided due to the absence of an executive director, a situation that has existed since Julie Oxarango Ingram resigned at the end of July, leaving a backlog of work for Spinelli to tackle when he begins in October.
"His initial task will be to get this up and going and get us operational again," Beck said.
Beck said it was ultimately Spinelli's previous experience with the chamber, along with his enthusiasm for the city, which led to his rehiring over the dozen other candidates that submitted resumes.
"It wasn't an easy decision, but in the end Jim was the one for us," he said.
Hailey City Administrator Jim Spinelli will step down from his position at the end of the month to return to the Hailey Chamber of Commerce as executive director. Spinelli served the city for one year and is the fourth staff member to leave the city since July. Photo by Mountain Express
