2.2 ERMU MINUTES 10-21-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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On August 11, 2014 the Wage and Benefits Committee met to review personnel projections relating to planned organizational growth. The Committee also discussed anticipated changes to positions relating to the National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC) software conversion. A number of the changes discussed are expected to happen after the Customer Care and Billing (CC&B) module of the software go live in February 2015. There were also a number of changes that could be required immediately that relate to the Accounting and Business Solutions (ABS) module that went live in August. The Committee had consensus on the need for these discussed changes and gave direction to management to further analyze the specific details of the changes and the expected changes to labor costs and bring that back to the Commission for consideration. Three position changes have recently developed as critical and time sensitive, the Billing Specialist, hiventory/Maintenance Person, and the Bore Rig Operator/Groundsworker. Troy went over the proposed changes and asked if the commission had any questions. John Dietz asked for further clarification on which positions were just adding job duties to the existing positions and which one involved hiring someone new. Staff responded. There were also questions on what the duties would be for the proposed Accountant we'd be hiring to backfill the vacant Billing Specialist position. Troy Adams explained that the Accountant would assist during the software implementation and provide much needed backup for the Purchasing Specialist and the Accounts Payable/Payroll Specialist. After the implementation, the accountant position would transition into more routine duties while continuing to provide the essential backup coverage. The 2014 increased cost in labor to make all three proposed changes would be approximately $7,300, and the increased cost in labor for 2015 would be approximately $32,000 based on 2014 wages. The only item not factored into these dollar amounts is the cost of contracting out the custodial duties for the Field Service Building. Al Nadeau made a motion to approve the replacement of the Billing Specialist with an Accountant; approve the change for the Inventory/Maintenance Person to become the proposed Inventory Person; and approve the change for the Bore Rig Operator/ Groundsworker to become the proposed Lead Bore Rig Operator. Daryl Thompson seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. 5.3 2015 Buduet• 10 Year Capital Projections; 2015 Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases; and 2015 Conservation Improvement Plan Troy Adams presented the 2015 Capital Projections, Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases and the Conservation Improvement Program. Notable items for the Electric Department are a new feeder to the Courthouse, replacing a bucket truck, and upgrading the bore rig. Troy Adams commented that the money we had budgeted in 2014 for a garage expansion may need to be put aside for that project next year. Troy said due to another recent break-in to our trucks down at the plant, that it may be wise to use some of the garage expansion funds this year to fence in and secure the property. Daryl Thompson Page 3 Regular meeting of the Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission September 9, 2014 0401