Agenda Packets - 2003/05/05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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According to the Compensation Study recently completed by Labor Relations Associates, the Planning Associate’s maximum monthly salary exceeds the Stanton Mean rate by $426. The 2003 monthly salary for the new Planning Associate could be reduced with the intent to set the adjusted salary range closer to the Stanton Mean, in conjunction with the revised duties. Justification: While I would assert that workload alone warrants the filling of this position, I’d like to point out two other factors. While the department functions similar to the water and sewer departments in that we bring in revenue and that said revenue theoretically supports the activities of the Community Development Department, Community Development is not set up as an enterprise fund. Certainly it could be set up that way and thus the revenues would support the staff and department functions. Other Cities have set up their permit and planning revenue as enterprise funds, separate and outside of the general fund. I am not advising or suggesting that take place here but simply pointing out that there needs to be strong relationship between revenues and expenses. The other point I’d make relates to the recent Building Fee Report that is now required of every city. Cities were mandated to report on a variety of fees collected and then document all associated expenses. The presumed purpose of the required report is to ensure that communities are not overcharging residents and developers and that revenues relate to expenses. By not filling the planning associate position, it will appear as though the City IS overcharging on fees since there will be less expenses to charge back against the fees. No one knows what will happen to communities where fees exceed expenses, but some have hinted at more legislation, fee restrictions or even legal action. And lastly, hiring a replacement for the planning associate would not preclude a reorganization of the department in the future—that could still occur dependent upon budgetary issues and a variety of other factors. Recommendation: Staff again requests City Council permission to post the opening for the Planning Associate position and to hire the individual that best matches the qualifications articulated in the revised job description, which is attached for your review. The maximum salary for the position would be established by separate action of the City Council. _____________________________________ James Ericson Interim City Clerk/Administrator Attachments: 1. Revised Job Description