A full-time community recreation director could soon be hired in South Haven following a vote of the city council this week.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting, City Manager Kate Hosier said the city and South Haven Public Schools have found it difficult to find a recreation director because the current job is part-time and with no benefits. The school district had a proposal.

“We’ve talked with the school and the charter township and the SHARA folks, and they’re recommending that we go to a full-time position,” Hosier said. “This does not change the city’s $90,000 we’ve already committed to that. Any overages for this position would be covered by SHARA.”

The city, the schools, the township, and the South Haven Area Convention and Visitors Bureau all work together to support the South Haven Area Recreation Authority. Hosier said the thought is that if the position of rec director is more attractive, then good candidates could be found.

Council member Mary Hosley had issues with the proposal.

“I would like to know exactly what the pay and the whole benefit package would be for this full-time rec,” Hosley said. “I think we owe it to our taxpayers to be transparent so that we know how our rec millage is being spent.”

Hosier said she couldn’t say exactly what the pay for the position would be, but she knows it’s something like $65,000. Either way, she said the $90,000 contributed by the city for the position is all it would have to contribute.

In the end, the council vote to support the hire was unanimous.