University Heights adds city administrator role

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS — University Heights is adding a new position to city staff, but it will be filled by a familiar face.

Former Police Chief Troy Kelsay will be the city’s first city administrator.

The part-time role — around 20 hours a week — includes administrative tasks, representing the city on certain boards, and working to implement initiatives from the city council and police.

Kelsay said that since the role is new for both him and the city, everyone is figuring out what exactly the new position will entail and how he will work with other city officials.

University Heights is piloting the position, which pays $40 an hour, for the next six months. After that time, the city will decide whether or not to make it a permanent position.

“I don't need another job, but I kind of feel a bond with the community,” said Kelsay. “They're really good people. I will have a hard time saying no, unless it really contradicts with things that I want to do. But I also want to make sure that I'm giving them value, some mutual admiration, if you will.”

University Heights is a city within Iowa City, what’s known as an enclave. The city covers 0.27 square miles and is home to slightly more than 1,000 people. While its population is small, University Heights draws thousands of visitors every home Hawkeye football game due to its proximity to Kinnick Stadium.

Prior to becoming police chief in University Heights in 2018, Kelsay worked in the Iowa City Police Department for more than 25 years. Kelsay retired from the police chief role in June and officer Chris Akers took his place.

Since the police department is the only full time staff, Kelsay said a lot of administrative tasks could fall to police during the day.

“I guess everybody asked the police department to do everything because there's no other full time staff … I still expect the police department will fill that service role, but the chief does not need to be the city administrator who can solve everything,” said Kelsay, who does not live in University Heights.

The department has four full-time officers, with the expectation that a fifth will be added. It also employs four part-time officers.

While the city has other staff including a city clerk and attorney, they are only part-time employees. With the addition of the city administrator position, Kelsay said it should help free up staff to focus on other work.

“I know what I did as the police chief on the administrative tasks. I see what other people do and it kind of goes beyond their role as their particular role as city clerk, but there's nobody else to do it, because it's a small staff,” said Kelsay.

Kelsay said that conversations about adding a city administrator position began in 2017, but the city had more pressing priorities at the time.

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