Miller has a master’s degree in organizational leadership

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Joseph Miller has been offered the position of deputy/utility billing clerk for the City of Henning. He will have until Friday, Oct. 30 to accept the position, or the position will be offered to the second finalist candidate. 

The Henning City Council officially approved offering him the position on a 3-2 vote, with councilwoman Tammy Fosse and councilman Jim Haberer voting in dissent, during a special city council meeting on Monday afternoon. Councilmen Scott Hart and Wes Johnson voted in favor of offering him the position, with Henning Mayor Darren Wiese casting the tie-breaking vote. 

A total of 20 people applied for the position and four candidates were interviewed. The personnel committee was split 2-2 over recommending Miller and Kim Haugen. 

“We came up with two people and it is up to the council to decide which one of the two people we accept,” said Wiese.

Henning clerk/treasurer Kim Schroeder and utility superintendent Brenden Markuson chose Haugen for the position of deputy/utility billing clerk, while Wiese and Johnson favored Miller.

According to information provided to the council, Miller has 14 years in insurance investigation and handling of third party claims. He has a background in legal research, settlement negotiations and analyzing data. He is also proficient in eight computer platforms and has a masters degree in organizational leadership. He also has  a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration with a minor in business administration. He also reportedly has a military background and has spent time in law enforcement. 

Hart said from looking at the information provided to the council both candidates were good ones, but favored Miller for the position. He recommended that if Miller turned the position down that it be offered to the next candidate, which was Haugen.

In voting in dissent, Fosse said she didn’t feel like she had enough information. Haberer said he wanted to discuss the two candidates more. 

Miller was offered the position for $19 per hour with a $1.50 per hour raise after 90 days, plus benefits.