Bessemer City Council hires Zacovek as clerk/treasurer

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Bessemer — The Bessemer City Council on Monday evening voted to approve an employment agreement with Samantha Zacovek, newly named as the city’s clerk/treasurer.

Zacovek had been been working as deputy clerk since earlier this year when former clerk/treasurer Mandy Lake began also serving as interim city manager. The council recently hired Lake as city manager.

Until this month, Zacovek also had served in recent years as a part-time administrator to the Downtown Development Authority.

Councilwoman Linda Nelson said that she and councilman Mark Movrich had met with Zakovec to work out the agreement.

“We’re happy with it,” said Nelson, who has praised the team of Lake, Zakovec and utility clerk Lisa Selin as “fabulous.”

Lake has reported on more than one occasion that the three women have been striving to “cross-train” in relation to each other’s responsibilities so that all tasks can be covered no matter who might be absent due to vacation, illness, etc.

Mayor Peter Tacconelli and councilman Mark Serwe congratulated Zacovek after the vote.

Councilmen Movrich and Adam Zak were absent.

“Now that Sam’s moving up to be the clerk/treasurer, that leaves her deputy clerk position open,” said Lake, who pointed out that the union position requires an internal posting for seven days.

Council members then approved the posting for one week.

In other news, the council also approved the creation of a committed equipment repair and purchase savings account.

“The money we put in there would be restricted to major equipment purchases and future repairs,” said Lake, who added that the council later could approve a budget amendment to transfer funds to the account.

“I like a committed account, so we can’t nickel and dime (the funds) for something else,” said Nelson.

Council members also:

— Approved the reinstatement of David Osier to another three-year term on the DDA, which he chairs.

— Approved a resolution that adopts a health insurance plan acknowledging a state-mandated 80/20% employee/city premium division. “That’s just a regular resolution we do each year, along with our health insurance,” said Lake.

— Approved draws of $75,388.43 and $326,522.33 from phases II and III, respectively, of the city’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund grant.

All votes were unanimous.

The council’s next regular meeting will be on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in the council chamber of the Bessemer City Hall.