Columbia Borough Police Chief Jack Brommer to transition to borough manager

Columbia Borough Police Chief Jack Brommer 

[File photo]

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Borough Council outlined a succession plan Tuesday night that will see Police Chief Jack Brommer transition from his current role to become the borough's next manager.

“We would like to have him step in as a full-time borough manager,” Heather Zink, council president, said during the work session. Brommer is scheduled to retire as police chief next April. The plan is for him to become full-time borough manager in May. In the meantime, council wants to hire him as interim borough manager with a part-time assistant. He will receive mentorship support through two successive assistant managers.

Brommer will receive a $2,000 monthly stipend for the added duties. An assistant borough manager will receive $50 an hour for 24-30 hours a week.

Ron Youtz, a former West Hempfield Township manager who previously worked in Columbia Borough's public works department, will serve as assistant borough manager through the end of this year to mentor Brommer. Following Youtz's departure, another individual will take over as assistant until May when Brommer is appointed full time.

When questioned by resident Sharon Lintner about how the two candidates were found, Heather Zink, council president, said, “Networking.”

Councilman Peter Stahl said the total pay for the interim borough manager and assistant will not exceed what current borough manager Steve Kaufhold is making. (Kaufhold is retiring this Friday, September 5.) Resident Frank Doutrich told council that the word on the street is that Brommer will make $110,000 annually when he goes full-time as borough manager.

 

Council members expressed enthusiasm about Brommer's appointment. Councilwoman Barbara Fisher said, "We felt like it was a gift." Stahl said, "This was in the works from the get-go," adding, “All of council was involved in the process."

Brommer has been Columbia's police chief since 2011.

Council plans to vote on the appointments at its next meeting on September 9.