5.2. SR 06-14-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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& taff Report-OrganLTationa/ Structure 72, 2004 Page 3 The establishment of a public works director and City Engineering department would be a benefit to other city departments that coordinate activities with the city engineer, to the orderly development of the city, and to many or our citizens. The benefits would include improved customer sm~ice. An additional benefit for me is that I ~vould have one employee reporting to me instead of three; the consulting engineer (not technically a city employee), the street superintendent, and the wastewater treaunent chief operator. Also, the street supervisor and the wastewater treatment chief operator would benefit from the hiring of a public works ctkector. They would be receiving direct supervision from someone who has more expertise than me in their work areas. The timing for the establishment of a City Engineering department and public works director position is dependent upon available funds and the actual cost to the city. It is likely that monies for this position and department xvill not be available for a few years. Community Development Director The most common feedback which I received was that the city needed to consolidate a number of current departments within a Community Development department and underneath a community development director. This director position would supervise planning/code enforcement, building/environmental and economic development activities. The establishment of a community development director position would reduce the number of direct reports to me from three to one. The establishment of this position would provide for better communication and coordination of our development activities and this would result in better customer service. The community development department would have to coordinate activities with other departments, especially the city engineer, the fmance director, and the parks and recreation director. With the community development position, the City Council will have a choice of hiring a new employee for this position or promoting internally with the community development director having a dual responsibility until additional staff can be afforded. If hired from the outside, this position would cost the city about $100,000-110,000 in wages and benefits. If promoted from within, this position would cost the city the equivalent of a mid-level position. The hiring of a community development director could happen at any time if promoted internally. If the position is filled from the outside, then the position competes for funding with other requested city positions. Public Safety Director It is not recorm~ended that the city establish and hire a public safety director. The cost for this position does not justin, it being established. The cost in wages and benefits would exceed $110,000. The direct reports to me would only be reduced by one. It is also questionable if this position would improve services being offered to the public. The current coordination of activities and communication between these two department heads is excellent (especially now since they are officed in the same building). A number of communities have established this position, and over rune, gone away from it as it was not necessary and/or cost effective. Administration and Finance This "General Government" area includes four department heads: the finance director, prosecuting attorney, liquor store manager, and the city clerk. There is a wide range of activities and responsibilities remaining within the Administration and Finance areas. Many cities have an assistant city administrator position that also functions as the S: ~ Council\Pat\2004\ organizational mgmt. doc