WAPAKONETA, OH (WLIO)- A new administrative position is in the works for the City of Wapakoneta.

Dog Warden Julie Shellhammer asking Allen County Commissioners to okay a wage increase for her staff. The department is completely self-funded through the dog and kennels fund but needs approval from commissioners as they are under the county. The department currently only has two employees besides the dog warden. With the increase, she hopes to attract new hires.

Major Angel Cortes will be the city's next police chief. Cortes scored highest on the chief's exam and will be sworn in on June 2, 2022, in council chambers. Cortes has been with the department since August of 1991. He was promoted to sergeant in 1997, to lieutenant in 2003, and major in 2012 following competitive civil service examinations.

The mayor gave further details on her plan to change the Department of Community Development to the Department of Housing and Neighborhoods, plus create a deputy director position for that department. The mayor also wants to create a new position to handle communications for the city and another one to oversee workforce and small business development. Smith says during the pandemic the city saw how important small businesses are to the community and she wants to have a person to assist owners to start up, grow or develop their business.

At the meeting, the Board swore in new member Cindy Brownlow, who won the election last November. They also voted for the Board President position and appointed Sandra Monfort, who will serve that position through the 2022 calendar year. The group voted on representatives and committee members as well as voting on approving dates for board meetings this year. We spoke to Brownlow on what her goals are as a new board member.