HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 5.A 8/5/2013 genta It&vw#5 . 1
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DATE: August 5, 2013
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Larry B. Anderson, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Resolution Authorizing the Petaluma City Council to Unfreeze One Fire Inspector
Position Currently Frozen By Resolution 2008-186 N.C.S.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the unfreezing
of one Fire Inspector position.
BACKGROUND:
To bring General Fund expenditures into line;with revenues in the fiscal year 2008-09 budget,
the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2008-186 N.C.S, (effective October 6, 2008) which
froze one vacant Fire Inspectoriposition:along with other reorganization, layoff and freezing of
positions. City'Council'approval is required td;re-instate frozen positions.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Petaluma Fite Department has conducted an extensive review of finances projected
over a 5-year period. This review demonstrates that the Fire Prevention Bureau is generating
sufficient revenue when added tossavings associated with converting a part time position to a full
time position to support the'full cost of this "frozen" Fire Inspector position. It should be noted
that part-time wages alone cover approximately one-half the cost of the full-time equivalent
(FTE). In'addition; fees collected for annual permits are based directly on the labor cost of either
the Fire Inspector(s) or Fire Marshal providing the inspection or plan review services. The cost
for permits and plan review were based on the original Kermer Report fee study (Fiscal Year
2000-2001) and updated during the 2010 Matrix Fee Study. The cost allocation for this position
show's that it is 100%fully paid for by fire prevention and hazardous materials permit revenues
and there is no impact to the General Fund. Reinstating this position will allow the Fire
Prevention Bureau to become whole again and provide inspections and services in a more timely
and effective manner: The cost associated with bringing back the Fire Inspector position is
essentially cost-neutral. Therefore, it is respectfully requested that the City Council approve the
unfreezing alone Fire Inspector position.
Agenda Review:
Dept. Director • City Attorney Finance Dire for City Manager
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
The total cost of the position over the next five years is listed in the Table below. The cost
includes all wages at each Step, all incentives, benefits and escalation. There is no net increase
to the General Fund over the five-year period.
Fire Prevention program revenue has been increasing recently and is estimated to be $621,183
for FY f2/13. The revenue budgeted for the Fire Prevention program for FY13/14 is $550,109. It
is anticipated that FYI 3/14 revenues will be comparable to FYI2/13 amounts and therefore,
significantly higher than budget. It is recommended that the FY13/14 Fire Prevention revenue
budget be increased to $610,000. This represents an increase of$59;891 over currently budgeted
amounts.
The total annual cost of the Fire-Inspector position is $141,943. This will be reduced by currently
budgeted part-time wages of$82,290. Those wages will not be needed once the permanent
inspector position is filled. This equates to a net position cost of$59,653. It should be noted that
since the position will not be filled for all of FY 13/14, actual costs will be less.
A mid-year budget adjustment is recommended to increase revenues related to Fire Prevention
by $59;891. This will reflect revenues that have increased during FY 12/13 and are anticipated to
be similar on an ongoing basis..A mid-year expenditure increase for the net cost of funding the
Fire Inspector position of$59,653 is also being recommended. The revenue and expenditure
mid-year budget adjustments offset each othefand there is no net cost to the General Fund.
Fire Prevention revenues are;escalated annually by the consumer price index. This increase will
partially offset future annual increases in the cost of benefits associated with the permanent Fire
Inspector position. It is anticipated that additional revenues will be generated by the Prevention
Bureau to offset the remaining cost of future benefit increases over the next several years.
Fiscal Period FY 13/14 FY 14/15 FY 15/16 FY 16/17 FY 17/18
5-Year Cost of Fully Loaded Fire Inspector 1 $141,943 $151,430 $161,254 $170,784 $180,511
, Apply Part-Time Wages ($82,290) ($82,290) ($82,290) ($82,290) ($82,290)
Annual Fees Received+ Escalation $610,000 $625,250 $640,881 $656,903 $673;326
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution
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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PETALUMA CITY COUNCIL
TO'UNFREEZE ONE FIRE INSPECTOR POSITION
CURRENTLY FROZEN BY RESOLUTION 2008-186'N.C.S.
WHEREAS, to bring,anticipated General Fund expenditures into line with revenues in
the fiscal year 2008-09 budget, the City Council of the City of Petaluma authorized the
reorganization, layoff and/or freezing of positions by adopting Resolution No 2008-186 N.C.S.,
effective October 6, 2008 ("Authorizing Reorganization, Layoffs and/or Freezing Vacancies in
the Following General Fund Positions for Fiscal Year 2008-09 Due to Lack of Funds and
Considering Contracting and/or Subcontracting Work for Labor Cost-Control Reasons: One
Recreation Coordinator; One Office Assistant II; One Shelter Assistant; Six Police Officers; One
Police Lieutenant; One Public Safety Communications Manager; One Fire Inspector; Two
Firefighter/Paramedics; One Assistant in Civil Engineering; Two Maintenance Workers II; One
Traffic Signal/Street Light Technician; One Maintenance Worker III; One Custodial Supervisor;
Three Custodians; One Accounting Technician; One Traffic Engineer; One Public Works
Inspector II"); and,
WHEREAS, one Fire Inspector position is currently frozen and City Council approval is
required to unfreeze the position; and;
WHEREAS, the City of Petaluma Fire Department has conducted an extensive review of
finances projected over a 5-year period and that review demonstrates that the Fire Prevention
Bureau will generate more than enough revenue through annual permit application fees and plan
review fees to cover re-filling this position;.and
WHEREAS, the City Manager is requesting City Council approve the unfreezing of one
Fire Inspector position and authorize hiring one Fire Inspector I position.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma does hereby authorize the unfreezing of one Fire Inspector position.
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