Adopt Resolution #16-01-025 to Ratify Four Budgeted Position Reclassifications

The purpose of this case is to ask the City Council to reclassify four current city positions as part of the approved 2016 City Budget and related discussions. This case seeks to accurately classify and compensate City employees for the work performed.  
 
The reclassifications listed below reflect the City’s desire to maintain an effective organization.  Reclassifying positions, when needed, serves to retain high performing employees and furthers the City's mission to work together to responsibly grow our community, and to provide quality, cost-effective and efficient government services.  
 
The following positions have changed to include additional, more complex duties and the employees in these positions are working outside of their current job classifications. Therefore, staff recommends the following reclassifications, effective January 1, 2016:
 
1) Reclassify the current Accounting Clerk to Senior Accounting Clerk
2) Reclassify the current Accountant I to Accountant II
3) Reclassify one current Public Works Streets Maintenance Worker to Mechanic, and
4) Reclassify the current Civil Engineer II to Civil Engineer IV
 
A brief explanation of the changes include:
 

1. Reclassify the current Accounting Clerk to Senior Accounting Clerk

Employee has taken on additional responsibilities that greatly exceed the requirements of a general accounting clerk such as property management and credit cards tracking.
 

2. Reclassify the current Accountant I to Accountant II

Employee has performed responsibilities that are performed by an Accountant II and has earned the Certified Payroll Professional Accreditation.  An Accountant I title is normally associated with those with much less experience and responsibilities.
 

3. Reclassify one current Public Works Streets Maintenance Worker to Mechanic

Employee has been working as a Mechanic due to the increasing number of vehicles, heavy and light equipment in the city's fleet (PD, PW, FD, Engr., and admin.), the demand for a mechanic has doubled. 
 

4.  Reclassify the current Civil Engineer II to Civil Engineer IV

Employee has taken on duties that have changed significantly since being hired and are now more closely aligned with the duties typically performed by a Civil Engineer IV, including, but not limited to storm water management.

Again, in all four cases, the staff in these positions have been working out of their job class in order to meet the public service needs in their respective areas, and all have obtained additional training beyond what is required under their current classification.

The reclassifications listed above were discussed as part of the 2016 budgeting process and  have been included in the approved 2016 City budget.
 

Observations/Alternatives:
Option #1: Reclassify positions as follows:
1) Reclassify the current Accounting Clerk to Senior Accounting Clerk
2) Reclassify the current Accountant I to Accountant II
3) Reclassify one current Public Works Streets Maintenance Worker to Mechanic, and
4) Reclassify the current Civil Engineer II to Civil Engineer IV
 
Option #2: Reclassify some, but not all of the following positions

Option #3: Do not reclassify the above listed positions.
 
The pros and cons of the above actions are tied to the Strategic Plan. The key reason to reclassify these positions is to more accurately recognize the job functions that these employees are currently performing and to proactively work to retain the City's talent--reducing the risk of turnover costs and loss of institutional knowledge.
 
 

The 2016 funding required for this action has been accounted for in the approved 2016 budget at approximately $9786 for all four reclassifications.  Specific funding requirements are as follows:
1) Reclassify the current Accounting Clerk to Senior Accounting Clerk $1867
2) Reclassify the current Accountant I to Accountant II $1440
3) Reclassify one current Public Works Streets Maintenance Worker to Mechanic $3551
4) Reclassify the current Civil Engineer II to Civil Engineer IV $2928
 

Staff recommends option #1 to:
 
1) Reclassify the current Accounting Clerk, Jackie Lipski, to Senior Accounting Clerk, at step 6 of the new wage scale, which is $25.65 per hour;
2) Reclassify the current Accountant I, Cindy Nelson, to Accountant II, at step 5 of the new wage scale, which is $30.50 per hour;
3) Reclassify one current Public Works Streets Maintenance Worker, Greg Lind, to Mechanic, at step 5 of the new wage scale, which is $27.01 per hour;
4) Reclassify the current Civil Engineer II, Len Linton, to Civil Engineer IV, at step 4 of the new wage scale, which is 38.14 per hour.

Motion to adopt resolution #16-01-025 to Ratify Four Budgeted Position Reclassifications, all effective as of January 1, 2016, as follows:
1) Reclassify the current Accounting Clerk, Jackie Lipski, to Senior Accounting Clerk, at step 6 of the new wage scale, which is $25.65 per hour;
2) Reclassify the current Accountant I, Cindy Nelson, to Accountant II, at step 5 of the new wage scale, which is $30.50 per hour;
3) Reclassify one current Public Works Streets Maintenance Worker, Greg Lind, to Mechanic, at step 5 of the new wage scale, which is $27.01 per hour;
4) Reclassify the current Civil Engineer II, Len Linton, to Civil Engineer IV, at step 4 of the new wage scale, which is 38.14 per hour.