During monday night's city council meeting, Rockford Mayor Larry Morrisey announced the city's Building Department will soon be made a part of the Community Development Department.

The switch eliminates Building Department Head Bonnie Henry's position...moving her instead to a management level position within the Community Development Department. It's a decision alderman Linda McNeely is concerned about...

"We had that before. I don't think it worked then. I don't believe it's going to work in the future. The building department is something that should be separate."

McNeely says community development already houses zoning, which she believes should be it's own department.

"The CD Department needs to do a lot more work in the area that it currently has, rather than taking on more responsibilities."

Changes could also be on the way for the manner in which city employees are compensated. Right now, non-represented city employees receive a yearly 2.5 percent hike in salary in an effort to keep pay competetive with outside organizations. A study group is being formed to investigate other options...such as compensation programs that would reward higher performing employees. Alderman Pat Curran says it's a good idea.

"Let's eliminate this discrepancy, because the one that's really working hard should get a little more than the other person."

The study group will have to report back to the Finance and Personnel Committee by June 16.