Sparks City Charter Section 1.080 states, “Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the City Manager shall appoint the heads of each department.”  The City Manager has selected Mindy Falk for the department head role of Human Resources Director.

This contract recognizes the Human Resources Director as a strategic partner and department head on the executive team at the City.  The functional area of Human Resources impacts all departments and is an important element of senior staff discussions and considerations.  The extraordinary events this year have accentuated the need for this critical function to be formally recognized in the City’s personnel structure and City Manager’s organizational chart as a department head position.    

Ms. Falk attended University of Nevada, graduating with Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. She began her career in Human Resources in the private sector right after graduating college.  During her eight-year tenure in the private industry, she began as a Benefits Specialist and was promoted to Benefits and Compensation Manager, then Employee Programs Director.  Ms. Falk began her career at the City Sparks as an HR Analyst in 2005, was promoted to a Senior Human Resources Analyst in 2010, Human Resources Manager in 2015, and Human Resources Director in 2019 (in Mid-managment Resolution). She holds a professional certificate in Human Resources from the Human Resources Certification Institute.

Following is a summary of the Agreement reached between the parties.  This summary outlines portions of the negotiated contract. The full proposed Agreement between the City of Sparks and Ms. Falk is attached.

The term of the agreement begins November 9, 2020, and the initial expiration date is July 30, 2022.  After the initial term, the Agreement renews automatically to a two-year agreement, tied to the end of the City’s fiscal year. However, the City Manager may limit the renewal term to the upcoming fiscal year.

The Council adopted a classification system and compensation program, which is used to determine base pay.  Korn Ferry Hay Group, an international leader in this type of work, set the level for the Human Resources Director at 19.  The proposed salary of $152,256 is within the established pay range.

Benefits include health insurance, deferred compensation, annual leave, sick leave, and long-term disability.  The entirety of benefits is described in the attached employment contract. 

The estimated cost to the General Fund is for Fiscal Year 21 is $26,000.

1. Council may choose to approve the employment agreement between the City of Sparks and Mindy Falk for the position of Human Resources Director.
2. Council may choose not to approve the employment agreement between the City of Sparks and Mindy Falk for the position of Human Resources Director.
3. Council may choose not to approve the employment agreement and direct the City Manager toward another alternative.

I move to approve the Human Resources Director Employment Agreement (AC-5713) between the City of Sparks and Mindy Falk.