The Willmar City Council has unanimously approved a second performance evaluation for City Administrator Leslie Valiant, scheduled for a closed session on November 17, 2023. This decision comes less than two months after Valiant’s annual evaluation, raising questions about the reasons behind the expedited review process.
Councilor Audrey Nelsen initiated the request during the council meeting, but neither she nor other council members provided specific reasons for the need for another evaluation so soon. City Attorney Robert Scott from Flaherty and Hood informed the council that inquiries from members following Valiant’s previous evaluation prompted the decision. He noted that if the matters under discussion required further examination, it would be appropriate to conduct it in a closed session.
According to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, public bodies can close meetings to evaluate employee performance. However, Valiant has the option to request an open session for the evaluation, and a summary of the conclusions must be presented at the next public meeting.
Following the council meeting, the West Central Tribune attempted to reach Valiant for insight into the new evaluation. In her response, she stated that she had no additional information to provide regarding the timing of the review.
During the council’s October 6, 2023 meeting, Mayor Doug Reese briefly summarized Valiant’s performance evaluation from September 15, 2023. Reese characterized Valiant as possessing strong technical skills relevant to her role but noted that she needs to improve her interpersonal abilities. He also emphasized the importance of Valiant focusing on achieving her performance goals in the coming months.
The evaluation conducted in September marked a significant moment for Valiant, as it was the first time she did not receive a positive assessment or a salary increase since her appointment as city administrator on July 19, 2021. Initially earning a salary of $150,000, her contract included provisions for a salary increase to $160,000 contingent upon a favorable one-year evaluation. She had previously received salary increases after positive evaluations in both February 2022 and 2023.
Currently, Valiant’s salary stands at $178,588.80, as reported by Willmar City Clerk Vernae Larsen. In addition to the increases tied to performance evaluations, Valiant has also benefited from cost-of-living adjustments. Her salary was $166,400 prior to the annual evaluation in 2023, which increased to $171,392 following the assessment.
As the council prepares for the upcoming evaluation, the focus will likely remain on the dynamics of Valiant’s performance and the implications for her role within the city administration.
