Minutes 04/14/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TUESDAY, APRIl, 14, 1998 Mr. Reynolds then began his presentation, characterizing the budget as a '?~esource Allocation and Work Plan". A number of personnel position changes were noted, with revised positions, titles and classifications being created from existing vacancies and resources. Included in these changes were 15 full time positions moving from the City's Prison Farm to the Sheriffs Department, along with responsibility for that operation. Other internal reorganizations would result in the elimination of two full-time and two part-time positions in Water Resources, with the two part-time positions moving to the Finance Department to create one full-time Meter Reader. The two full-time persons would then move into existing vacancies in Finance/Utility Billing and the Electric Department. The overall effect, stated Mr. Reynolds, would be to free up resources to create needed positions elsewhere. In addition to staffing changes Mr. Reynolds noted that the plan'also called for going to bi-monthly water and sewer billings to reduce the labor requirement in this area, effective January 1, 1999, while continuing monthly electric meter readings and billings. Mr. Reynolds emphasized that all other activities of meter reader personnel would continue as before. It was noted that overall personnel costs were projected to increase by only $9,057 as a result of reorganization actions. Regarding other personnel issues, Mr. Reynolds stated that he was recommending a compensation increase of an average of 5%, effective December 1, 1998, and an increased contribution of $20 per employee toward health care insurance premiums. Mrs. Lisa Ernest, Assistant Director of Finance and Human Resources, stated that proposals on health care insurance packages were due on May 1, 1998, and that life insurance premiums were waived this year due to savings in the system. Mrs. Ernest stated that there might actually be a decrease in life insurance premiums, due to savings in the system. In reply to a question from Council, Mrs. Ernest stated that she would discuss the various details of the compensation package at a later meeting. In response to another question from Council Mr. Reynolds confirmed that personnel costs under the City Manager' s office had decreased by about $88,000. Vice-Mayor Crabtree commented that this showed a significant degree of cost containment in the personnel area, and Council Member Haskell agreed, saying this must have been difficult. Mr. Reynolds pledged that he and the City staff would continue to look for opportunities to save on personnel costs, and would also look to technology to further these efforts.