7.0. SR 08-25-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Budget Worksession Memo August 25, 2003 Page 6 of 13 cannot afford these adjustments, then discussion needs to take place on whether or not more should be given in wage increases or in insurance increases. If the city can afford the typical increases and other cities cannot, then this will help us with a different employee concern. This concern is that the city pay and benefits as compared to neighboring cities, especially for management positions, is low. The city has had difficulty attracting management employees and I am very concerned that we may lose some management employees due to wage and benefit issues. Financially this is not the best time to have the city look at wage and benefits but this issue needs to be evaluated soon and if changes are needed, these changes need to be made soon. Additionally, having our pay plan evaluated may result in a recommendation that gets the building inspection positions more in compliance with our comp worth plan. The wage and benefit level for all of our employees is a very important issue that needs to be evaluated in the near future. The 2004 budget calls for some additional employees to be hired in 2004 and this includes filling some current vacancies. The government buildings program includes Gary Lore, who has been assigned to this work from the street/park department. The 2004 budget calls for an additional employee to work with Gary on buildings and grounds...The street/park department budget calls for an employee to replace Gary Lore. This department requested a second position but this is not recommended and not included in the 2004 budget...The police department is looking to f~ll a vacant officer position and this is included in the 2004 budget. This essentially is filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Tom Zerwas. In 2003, there was discussion with police management regarding an additional CSO, some additional clerical support, and additional officers but there is simply not enough money for these positions in 2004... In the information technology area, another employee is being requested and recommended as this additional position is simply required based on the workload. This position is a very high priority. There are no additional employees for cable tv. A part-time position was elevated to full-me status in 2003 but this position was left vacant and is not in the 2004 budget. Additional clerical support requested for the legal department in 2003 was cut in June and is also not in this 2004 budget. The fire department did not ask for its fire prevention specialist, as it has the past two years, but this position will be needed at sometime in the near furore. There is always a need for additional police officers and additional street/park employees but other than what is noted in the preceding paragraph, there are no further additions in the 2004 budget. Supplies and Other Services/Charges The biggest increase in these two budget categories is for the public safety facility and for the expanded city hall facility. Other than these increase, the expenses in 2004 are fairly routine and comparable to 2003. In 2003 we did eliminate all national conferences and there are a few being included in the 2004 budget. Capital Outlay In January 2003, there was $37,400 in the general fund for capital outlay for the police department. This expenditure ended up being transferred into equipment reserves. Accordingly, the June amended 2003 general fund budget had zero expenditures for capital outlay items. Capital ouday items are those which cost over $7,500. Like the June 2003 amended budget, there are no capital