Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance establishes new authorized strength for the Department of Public Service, Public Service Administration (Director's Office) by increasing the full-time general fund sanctioned positions from 17 to 43, an increase of 26 positions along with corresponding decreases. The Department of Public Service is requesting the realignment of 22 positions from other city divisions resulting in a net increase of 4 full-time and 2 part-time general fund sanctioned positions for the city' new 311 Customer Service Center. The majority of positions (15) to be realigned to the Public Service Department, Administration Section are from the Refuse Collection Division (11) and the Transportation Division (4). The balance of the positions will come from various other city departments.
These authorized strength changes are needed at this time to establish and consolidate customer-service personnel from various city agencies into a single location and appointing authority. The 311 Customer Service Center will allow residents to call a three-digit, single point of contact, telephone number "3-1-1" for non-emergency service requests, questions, and assistance. Over time the myriad of phone numbers and multiple call locations will become unnecessary. City developed software tracks customer-service requests and will ultimately tie into established performance standards.
The increase in authorized strength for the Public Service Department, Administration will become effective upon passage of the ordinance. The corresponding reduction in the other city agencies shall become effective upon Council's passage of the 2006 budget.
The personnel levels for all other city agencies remain unchanged and as presented in the last strength ordinance (1618-2005).
FISCAL IMPACT: All changes in authorized strength will not require additional funding through the end of fiscal year 2005. The Department will utilize existing 2005 funds where appropriate. Funds for 2006, as it relates to this authorized strength change, will be adjusted within the proposed 2006 budget ordinance. Funding for the net increase of four general fund sanctioned positions is coming from a $200,000 annual transfer into the general fund from the Public Utilities Department. Funding of the additional two part-time positions will be adjusted within the proposed 2006 budget ordinance.
EMERGENCY: Emergency action is requested for this ordinance to allow the Public Service Department to consolidate personnel, ensure adequate training, and plan for a January 3, 2006 program implementation.
Title
To establish a new authorized strength ordinance for various city divisions; to repeal ordinance 1618-2005, and to declare an emergency. (REPEALED BY ORD. 0235-2006 PASSED 02/06/2006)
Body
WHEREAS, the increase in authorized strength for the Public Service Department, Administration will become effective upon passage of the ordinance and the corresponding reduction in the other city agencies shall become effective upon Council's passage of the 2006 budget ordinance, 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 properly align the authorized strength for departments and divisions with budget authority and to reflect various needs within the city, 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 and hereby fixed and established as follows:
Refer to attachment ORD1859-2005strength.xls
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.
Where the authorized strength of an Appointing Authority is reduced by this ordinance, said reduction shall take effect upon the effective date of the applicable 2006 Appropriations Ordinance. Until that point in time, the authorized strength of any such Appointing Authority shall remain that set forth in Ordinance No. 1618-2005 or any other applicable ordinance being repealed by Section 4 below.
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-two (32) Fire Battalion Chiefs nor as a temporary complement in excess of thirty-three (33) Fire Battalion Chiefs at any one time; fifty-six (56) Fire Captains nor as a temporary complement in excess of fifty-nine (59) Fire Captains at any one time; one (1) Fire Chief; and one-hundred ninety six (196) 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; in excess of, as a normal complement five (5) Police Deputy Chiefs nor as a temporary complement in excess of six (6) Police Deputy Chiefs at any one time; in excess of, as a normal complement, fifty-five (55) Police Lieutenants nor as a temporary complement; in excess of fifty-seven (57) Police Lieutenants at any one time; in excess of, as a normal complement; two hundred twenty-four (224) Police Sergeants nor as a temporary complement in excess of two hundred twenty-nine (229) 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.
SECTION 4. That Ordinance No. 1618-2005 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.
FOOTNOTES:
Previous authorized strength levels. Refer to attachment ORD1859-2005previousstrengthfootnote.xls