To give him the compensation he deserves, DeKalb City Manager Mark Stevens said he advanced Gary Boden’s position to assistant city manager.

Boden, who has been serving Stevens as assistant to the city manager, received the change in title because the new title was a more accurate representation of his responsibilities, Stevens said.

Boden’s duties, formerly as assistant to the city manager, slowly evolved to include many of the responsibilities of assistant city manager, said Stevens. He said Boden has gradually picked up many responsibilities of assistant and has been exercising them for a number of years without the title, or the compensation. He said for these reasons the change was due.

Stevens said the city council voted to abolish the posiion of assistant to the city manager and replace it with the post of assistant city manager after Stevens’ first proposal for the change Sept. 14.

“Gary (Boden) will do a good job, as he has done without compensation for several years,” Stevens said.

Boden said, “I’m very pleased that the city staff and council have recognized the responsibilities of the assistant to the city manager.” He said with the promotion, he will recieve a pay increase of about $5,000 anually.

Boden had carried out most of what the job entails for some time, Stevens said, but without the change in title, Boden wouldn’t be required, or authorized, to carry out certain tasks.

e said the main differences will be an increased responsibilty of assistance in regard to boards and commissions, and increased authority when working with city department projects.

“This particular change won’t involve substantial revisions in the basic conduct of affairs in our office,” said Stevens.

Stevens said Boden will also have a higher role in the financial risks management program.

As assistant to the manager, Boden served as the chief negotiator in collective bargaining, headed NIU mass transit relations and took a large part in data processing. He also did “extensive” research for special projects, assisted in economic development and took over many day-to-day assignments dealing with the public, Stevens said.