Approve Revisions to the Staff Allocation in Building Inspections

The purpose of this case is to update the City Council on the staffing in the Community Development Department, Building Division, and to seek approval for revisions that represent no increase in the current budget, and likely budget savings as outlined below.   

The Building Division is comprised of a Building Official, one 40 hour per week Permit Technician, one 30-32 hour per week Permit Technician, and contracted Building Inspectors.  The 40 hour per week Permit Technician has been working a temporary, modified schedule prior to a leave of absence.  Upon her return, this employee requested a permanent schedule change to 20 hours per week. 

Management believes the employee's request to reduce the employee's hours from 40 hours to 20 hours per week is workable, and would like approval to reduce this employee's hours down to 20 hours per week, effective on or near September 1st.  The reduction in hours would change the employee's status from full-time benefits to part-time benefits resulting in a cost savings to the City. With this change, staff would immediately begin a recruitment to hire a new 20 hour per week employee.   Staff recommends hiring a 20 hour per week Administrative Assistant vs. a 20 hour per week Permit Technician to backfill the hours lost.  In any event, depending on the given pay scale step (steps 1 - 6) the the Administrative Assistant position earns approximately $1.48 to $1.85 less per hour when compared to the Permit Technician position.  Both 20 hour per week employees would not be eligible for the City's health, dental or life insurance benefits which currently adds a range of $404 per month to $1517 per month, depending on the benefits elected.  

There is no additional funding required for this action.  

Staff recommends granting approval to reduce one 40 hour per week Permit Technician down to 20 hours per week, effective on or near September 1, 2020 and to authorize a recruitment for a 20 hour per week Administrative Assistant

Motion to approve the following actions: 1)  Reduce one 40 hour per week Permit Technician down to 20 hours per week, effective on or near September 1, 2020, and 2) Authorize a recruitment for a 20 hour per week Administrative Assistant.