Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance amends the current authorized strength, as set forth in ordinance 0187-2024. Authorized strength as set forth in this ordinance shall be effective April 1, 2024.
The strength levels for most general fund agencies are set to be equal to the 2024 budget as amended by City Council (including the Departments of Health and Recreation and Parks). Authorized strength levels of smaller non-general fund agencies are set to be equal to the adopted 2024 budget as amended, while the strength levels of certain larger non-general fund agencies may have their strength set slightly higher to allow for flexibility in hiring.
Within the Municipal Court Clerk a reduction of four full-time positions is requested in the Computer Fund to account for budget positions that have fully moved to the general fund. The Department of Civil Service requests an increase of two full-time positions and a reduction of one part-time position to account for one additional fiscal employee and the movement of front desk staff from part-time to full-time. Within the Department of Public Safety, Support Services Division authorized strength will decrease by 18 full-time as License, Weights and Measures moves to the Division of Code Enforcement. The Division of Police requests an increase of 19 full-time positions in order to staff the Real-Time Crime Center and three full-time positions for the Public Records expansion. Building and Zoning Services will increase by 18 full-time positions and two part-time positions in the general fund to accommodate the transfer of staff from the Department of Public Safety, License, Weights and Measures Sections. Building and Zoning Services also requests an additional six full-time staff within the Development Services Fund. The Division of Code Enforcement requests three full-time positions for various Council initiatives. The Department of Development Administrative Division will add one full-time fiscal position. The Department of Recreation and Parks will add four full-time positions for staffing the Center Without Walls program.
Fiscal Impact: Funds for these strength levels are budgeted and/or the positions will not be filled until revenues have been clearly identified and appropriated. In all cases, the ability to hire will be monitored by the Division of Finance and Management. As such, there is no fiscal impact associated with passage of this ordinance.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow for the filling of budgeted vacant positions in certain departments in order to assure the immediate preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare.
Title
To establish a new authorized strength ordinance for various divisions in the City of Columbus; to repeal ordinance 0187-2024; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Executive 2024 budget was submitted to City Council on November 9, 2023 for consideration; and
WHEREAS, City Council to adopted said budget on March 4, 2024; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance repeals authorized strength ordinance 0187-2024; and
WHEREAS, the authorized strength established in by this ordinance shall be effective April 1, 2024; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City of Columbus in that it is immediately necessary to establish a new authorized strength ordinance to provide for the efficient operation of the city, and for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That pursuant to Section 14 of the City Charter, the maximum number of officers and employees authorized to be employed within the various Departments, Boards and Offices of the City is hereby fixed and established as follows:
-1- Refer to attachment ORD0716-2024currentstrength.xlsx
-2- Refer to attachment ORD0716-2024previousstrength.xlsx
The foregoing positions authorized include all positions within each department, division, board, office or commission, whether appointed or elected except the members of any board or commission authorized by charter or ordinance. No Appointing Authority shall appoint full-time or part-time personnel in excess of the maximum permitted by this ordinance unless authorized by ordinance of City Council.
SECTION 2. Such of the positions within the Division of Fire as the Director of Public Safety and Fire Chief shall designate, shall be within the uniformed ranks and all other positions therein shall be deemed civilian positions, provided there shall not be in excess of five (5) Fire Assistant Chiefs and there shall not be in excess of four (4) Fire Deputy Chiefs; as a normal complement, in excess of thirty-five (35) Fire Battalion Chiefs nor as a temporary complement, in excess of thirty-six (36) Fire Battalion Chiefs at any one time; sixty-three (63) Fire Captains nor as a temporary complement, in excess of sixty-four (64) Fire Captains at any one time; one (1) Fire Chief; and two-hundred nine (209) Fire Lieutenants. The complements of fire captains and fire lieutenants are intended to be temporary, subject to review and change at any time.
Such of the positions within the Division of Police as the Director of Public Safety and the Police Chief shall designate, shall be within the uniformed ranks and all other positions therein shall be deemed civilian positions, provided there shall not be, as a normal complement, in excess of eighteen (18) Police Commanders, nor as a temporary complement, in excess of nineteen (19) Police Commanders at any one time; one (1) Police Chief; four (4) Police Assistant Chiefs; in excess of, as a normal complement, six (6) Police Deputy Chiefs, nor as a temporary complement, in excess of seven (7) Police Deputy Chiefs at any one time; in excess of, as a normal complement, sixty-five (65) Police Lieutenants, nor as a temporary complement, in excess of sixty-seven (67) Police Lieutenants at any one time; in excess of, as a normal complement, two hundred forty (240) Police Sergeants, nor as a temporary complement, in excess of two hundred forty-four (244) Police Sergeants at any one time.
SECTION 3. Temporary appointments are not subject to the authorized strength ordinance. Additionally, limited appointments made to cover full-time and part-time employees on authorized leave (injury, disability or military leave) are not subject to the authorized strength ordinance. Student intern positions are not subject to the authorized strength ordinance.
SECTION 4. That Ordinance No. 0187-2024 and all other ordinances relative to the authorization of employees for any department, division, board or commission and all other ordinances in conflict herewith be and the same are hereby repealed.
SECTION 5. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.