The table below shows the improvements included in the Interim City Manager’s recommended Operating and Capital Improvement Budget.  Comments on each of these improvements, along with those improvement submitted by the various City departments that were not recommended for funding are also provided. 

 

PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDED IN INTERIM

CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDED BUDGET

Department

Program Improvement Description

2007 Cost

Positions

GENERAL FUND

Neighborhood Resources

Plans Examiner *

49,978

1.00

 

Building Inspector II *

46,174

1.00

Planning

Planner II - Historic Preservation / Downtown Redevelopment *

62,359

1.00

 

Planner II - Subdivision Regulation

0

1.00

Police

Add Two Sergeant Positions to Command Structure

80,000

2.00

 

Dispatch Operator

15,000

1.00

Public Works

3 Street Division Maintenance workers with truck

140,852

3.00

 

Street Maintenance program (pavement mgt objectives)

2,935,000

0.00

 

Sidewalk connectivity program

250,000

0.00

 

SUBTOTAL FOR GENERAL FUND

$3,579,363

10.00

WATER AND WASTEWATER FUND

Utilities

Water Treatment Maintenance Staff

45,171

1.00

 

2 Distribution System Operators

80,000

2.00

 

Laborer Positions for Wastewater Utility

5,845

3.00

Finance

Admin Support IV- Utility Billing Collections

35,000

1.00

 

Interactive Voice Response System for Utility Billing

50,000

0.00

 

SUBTOTAL FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER FUND

$216,016

7.00

RECREATION FUND

Parks and Recreation

Louie Holcom Amateur Baseball League - Fall

11,000

0.00

 

Louie Holcom Amateur Baseball League - Summer

20,000

0.00

 

SUBTOTAL FOR RECREATION FUND

$31,000

0.00

SOLID WASTE FUND

Public Works

Rear Load Crew (Operator, 2 loaders, truck)

283,412

3.00

 

Hazardous Waste Technician

40,959

1.00

 

SUBTOTAL FOR SOLID WASTE FUND

$324,371

4.00

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL RECOMMENDED IN ALL FUNDS (ESTIMATED)

$4,150,750

21.00

*Neighborhood Resources and Planning positions will be funded depending upon any adopted recommendations from the development process review being currently conducted by Matrix.

 

Department:        Administrative Services

Cost:  $42,108      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Risk Management Claims Specialist

Comments:  Additional staff resources should await further study to determine program goals and measurement standards for this important City function.

 

 

Department:        Administrative Services

Cost:  $42,000      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Stream Video City Commission meetings

Comments:  This program improvement needs additional study to determine a comprehensive goal for broadcasting of Commission meetings, including improved audio, captions, etc. This might be a priority for funding depending upon equipment reserve funding levels.

 

 

Department:        Administrative Services

Cost:  $35,539      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Library Special Election

Comments:  If the Commission seeks to proceed with a special election in 2007 contigency funding can be used.

 

 

Department:        Finance

Cost:  $50,000      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Workflow system for invoice processing

Comments:  This item may be available for funding depending upon equipment reserve funding levels during 2007.

 

 

Department:        Human Resources

Cost:  $58,920      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Human Relations Technician

Comments:  I  recommend that program improvements for this Department be further reviewed upon the finalization of performance measurement tools.  The Human Relations Department should also be involved in the proposed social service needs assessment.

 

 

Department:        Human Resources

Cost:  $60,085      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Human Relations Specialist

Comments:  I  recommend that program improvements for this Department be further reviewed upon the finalization of performance measurement tools.  The Human Relations Department should also be involved in the proposed social service needs assessment.

 

 

Department:        Info Systems

Cost:  $72,000      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Application Enabler module

Comments:  Given other funding priorities, improved graphics capability is not viewed as a high priority in 2007.  We should further study this item to determine possible efficiencies achieved with this program improvement.

 

 

Department:        Info Systems

Cost:  $170,000    FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Telco system replacement for City Hall

Comments:  While the current telephone system is servicable, this will likely need to be a future budget item because repair of the existing system will become a challenge.

 

 

Department:        Legal Services

Cost:  $38,715      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Court Security Officer

Comments:  Attempts will be made to supplement existing part-time security for court operations.  This will likely need to be revistied in future budget years.

 

 

Department:        Fire/Medical

Cost:  $39,800      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       1 Inspector for Prevention/ Public Educator

Comments:  This function should be further reviewed to determine if existing personnel resources can be used to supplement existing prevention and public education efforts.

 

 

Department:        Fire/Medical

Cost:  $107,500    FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       25 portable tablets for inspection

Comments:  If funding levels in the Equipment Reserve fund allow, partial funding of this item may be warranted in 2007.

 

 

Department:        Neighborhood Resources

Cost:  $85,146      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Structural Blight Program - Zoning Enforcement Officer

Comments:  This program has merit, however, we should first absorb Development Process recommendations and achieve full staffing in the department.  This should be a priority item in future budgets.

 

 

Department:        Neighborhood Resources

Cost:  $46,174      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Building Inspector II

Comments:  Funds are placed in the 2007 budget to respond to the Development Process  and if this position is a priority recommendation the Commission can direct implementation.

 

 

Department:        Neighborhood Resources

Cost:  $49,978      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Plans Examiner

Comments:  Funds are placed in the 2007 budget to respond to the Development Process  and if this position is a priority recommendation the Commission can direct implementation.

 

 

Department:        Parks & Recreation

Cost:  $72,609      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Electrician

Comments:  This position will likely need to be funded in future budget years, existing resources will need to respond to existing needs at this time.

 

 

Department:        Parks & Recreation

Cost:  $91,944      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Memorial Park Cemetery Operations

Comments:  The State remains hopefull that the continuing litigation concerning Memorial Park can be resolved soon, allowing the City to access State held funds to support work at Memorial Park.  General fund expenditures are not recommended at this time.

 

 

Department:        Parks & Recreation

Cost:  $34,300      FTEs:  0.50

Program Improvement Description:       2nd Generation Parks Maintenance

Comments:  As we add to our Park system, additional resources will be needed in future budget years to ensure appropriate service levels.  This will likely need to be a future budget item.

 

 

Department:        Planning

Cost:  $62,359      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Planner II - Historic Preservation / Downtown Redevelopment

Comments:  Funds are placed in the 2007 budget to respond to the Development Process  and if this position is a priority recommendation the Commission can direct implementation.

 

 

Department:        Planning

Cost:  $62,359      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Planner II - Subdivision Regulation

Comments:  If the County funds this position 100%, this position will be utlitized.

 

 

Department:        Police

Cost:  $504,230    FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Ten Additional Patrol Cars

Comments:  This is a lower equipment priority than video recorders.

 

 

Department:        Police

Cost:  $107,800    FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Digital Video Recorders for All Marked Patrol Vehicles

Comments:  As funding in the Equipment Reserve Fund is monitored, staff will make a recommendation on partial funding of this important enhancement to our police service.

 

 

Department:        Police

Cost:  $30,760      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Admin Support II - Alarm and Neighborhood Noise Complaints

Comments:  Staff plans a further review of our alarm ordinance.  If additional revenues from fees can support additional staff, staff can be added in the future.

 

 

Department:        Police

Cost:  $300,000    FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Records Management Software Package

Comments:  This program improvement needs additional analysis, particularly determining its integration into other City information systems.

 

 

Department:        Police

Cost:  $35,000      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Fingerprint Scanner for LEC

Comments:  As funding in the Equipment Reserve funds is monitored, this may be a funding priority.

 

 

Department:        Police

Cost:  $80,000      FTEs:  2.00

Program Improvement Description:       Add Two Sergeant Positions to Command Structure

The Department request was to add 6 sergeants.  Funding for 2 is included in the 2007 budget.

Comments:  The recommended budget includes funding 2 sergeant positions in 2007.  Additionally, 2 existing officer positions will be staffed to respond to neighborhood oriented issues.

 

 

Department:        Police

Cost:  $15,000      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Dispatch Operator

Comments:  If the County funds its share of this one postiion under the current cost split, these funds will be available.

 

 

Department:        Public Works

Cost:  $140,852    FTEs:  3.00

Program Improvement Description:       3 Street Division Maintenance workers with truck

Comments:  Street maintenance is strong priority of the Commission, and this program improvement is recommended in the 2007 budget.

 

 

Department:        Public Works

Cost:  $2,935,000 FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Street Maintenance program (pavement mgt objectives)

Comments:  Street maintenance is strong priority of the Commission, and this program improvement is recommended in the 2007 budget.

 

 

Department:        Public Works

Cost:  $250,000    FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Sidewalk connectivity program

Comments:  Along with traffic calming; $250,000 is placed in the 2007 debt budget for traffic calming and the sidewalk connectivty program .

 

 

Department:        Public Works

Cost:  $38,854      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Custodian I - City Hall

Comments:  This position would enhance service levels but other priorities are more important.

 

 

Department:        Public Works

Cost:  $16,803      FTEs:  0.50

Program Improvement Description:       1/2 time clerical person in Street Division

Comments:  This position would enhance service levels but other priorities are more important.

 

 


Department:        Public Works

Cost:  $935,000    FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Equipment Replacement Program

Comments:  Equipment reserve funding may be avaiable for a small portion of these requests.  Right sizing and long term planning of equipment needs  - City wide - will be an important focus in the coming months.

 

 

Department:        Transit

Cost:  $59,418      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Quality Assurance Specialist

Comments:  Compliance with federal requirements should remain a priority. With our consultant's report on possible City/KU cooperation, this function should be further reviewed.

 

 

Department:        Utilities

Cost:  $45,171      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Water Treatment Maintenance Staff

Comments:  This position is needed to provide appropriate service levels in our water treatment division.

 

 

Department:        Utilities

Cost:  $80,000      FTEs:  2.00

Program Improvement Description:       2 Distribution System Operators

Comments:  These positions are funded as a priority for the water distribution system.

 

 

Department:        Finance

Cost:  $35,000      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Admin Support IV- Utility Billing Collections

Comments:  This position is funded.  It will enhance service levels and increase collection efforts bringing additional revenue to the utility functions of the City .

 

 

Department:        Finance

Cost:  $50,000      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Interactive Voice Response System for Utility Billing

Comments:  This program improvement is recommended for funding and should enhance our service delivery to customers calling the Utility Billing office.  Our drop call volume needs improvement.

 

 

Department:        Utilities

Cost:  $38,288      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Department Incentive Programs

Comments:  This program improvement needs further study to determine the impact to the Department and incentive equity issues throughout the City organization.

 

 

Department:        Utilities

Cost:  $33,000      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Engineering Technician

Comments:  Staff added in 2006 will enhance engineering efforts.  This position is not needed at this time.

 

 

Department:        Utilities

Cost:  $30,000      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Cross Connection Control Technician

Comments:  Existing staff will need to handle the requirements of this program.  This is a lower funding priority in the Utility department given other staffing demands.

 

 

Department:        Utilities

Cost:  $5,845        FTEs:  3.00

Program Improvement Description:       Laborer positions for Wastewater Utility

Comments:  For a relatively low cost, these positions will provide a significantly increased level of system maintenance including plant maintenance, manhole frame and grade repair, manhole and sewer line inspections, and lift station inspection and repairs.  These positions are partially funded by reduced contracted work with outside vendors.

 

 

Department:        Utilities

Cost:  $35,000      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Water Quality Technician

Comments:  This position is not funded at this time.  This is a lower funding priority in the Utility given other staffing demands.

 

 

Department:        Parks and Recreation

Cost:  $11,000      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Louie Holcom Amateur Baseball League - Fall

Comments:  This program improvement is revenue neutral and is recommended for funding .

 

 

Department:        Parks and Recreation

Cost:  $20,000      FTEs:  0.00

Program Improvement Description:       Louie Holcom Amateur Baseball League - Summer

Comments:  This program improvement is revenue neutral and is recommended for funding .

 

 

Department:        Public Works

Cost:  $283,412    FTEs:  3.00

Program Improvement Description:       Rear Load Crew (Operator, 2 loaders, truck)

Comments:  These positions will be supported by sanitation rates and are recommended to respond to growth needs within the community.

 

 

Department:        Public Works

Cost:  $40,959      FTEs:  1.00

Program Improvement Description:       Hazardous Waste Technician

Comments:  This position will be supported by sanitation rates and will provide an enhanced service level for this important community program.