5.2. SR 06-09-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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handled duruig the workday, such as snipping and waxing floors that require overtime. ht the past this overtuue has not been budgeted. It has been included in the proposed 2009 budget to accurately reflect the division's personal service expenditures. 1'he main increases in the street department budget axe fuel, operating supply, and contractual service urcxeases. One of the goals for the department is to eliminate the need for major street reconstniction. Thls budget has gone up substantially to increase the number of miles seal coated and the preventative clack filling done to meet the goal of increasnig die life of the streets. The amounts in the budget axe based on doing the optimal program; however, staff understands that funds may not be able to make such a drastic change in maintazance practices in 2009. Also, this budget includes $10,000 fox trees ni medians and bo~devaxds. It does not include funds fox a subsidized resident nee progiatn. The snow removal budget includes a $15,000 increase ui supplies for additional salt. The equipment services budget decreased because no capital oudav is requested this year. 11iis di~asion provides services for all City vehicles including the water and electric deparmicnts. The engineering budget may change more as we ate proposing some staff changes in the engineering division. As you know, these is a vacancy in the engineering department fox an engineering tech I position that is currently beuig advertised. However, after discussing the. City's needs and how to best meet those needs, we ate proposing that the Council consider a different approach. Currently, ui addition to an engineering tech 1 employee, the City contracts with BDM for john Anderson's services. `y/e feel drat we can provide these services and meet the City's needs better at a much lower cost by elevating the engnieeiing tech I position to an enguieeruig tech II position and hiring a staff engineer dierebv elinunating the need for connacturg with BDM for the engineering services provided by John Anderson. Because the engineering tech IT would have tnoxe experience, this person could take on some of the functions currently contracted out. The more routine and less technical dudes that were being done by the engnieerir7g tech I could be handled either by interns of other Ciry staff as rune allows. 'I"he staff engineer's time would be charged mainly to projects so there would be little tinpact to the general fund. Overall there would be a significant savings and an increase in services by having an ernploycc instead of contracting for this service. If the Council agrees with dais approach, I recommend that we begin the process to develop a job description for a staff engineer and consider advertising and filling that position iu 2008. The staff engineer would then be in place to help with hiring an engineering tech II in 2009. There is very little impact to the general fund by making dais change ui ?008; however, there is a significant savings that could be realized in the project funds. Additionally, the public works director position is inchided ui this budget. The contract with BDM expires in July 200`); the amount included in the 2009 budget is adequate to hire a staff public works director or extend BDM's contract The discussion about hiring an on staff public works director ox extending the contract should take place after the budget has been approved due to the fact we still have over a pear before the contract expires and making a decision in early 2009 allows plenty of time to nnplement the decision before the contract expires. The last budget we will discuss on Monday, time permitting, is the finance department.