Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance amends the current authorized strength, as set forth in ordinance 1220-2021.
The strength levels for most general fund agencies are set to be equal to the 2021 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 2021 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.
This ordinance increases total full-time authorized strength by 19 positions across seven departments. The newly created Department of the Inspector General will receive ten full-time general fund positions. Within the Department of Finance, the Division of Financial Management requests one additional full-time federal grant position. The Department of Recreation and Parks requests the addition of three full-time positions in the department’s primary operating fund to assist with the implementation of the Urban Forestry Master Plan. In the Department of Building and Zoning Services, two full-time positions are requested in administrative support due to the upcoming transition of the Code Enforcement Division from the Department of Development. The Department of Public Service requests one additional non-general fund position in the Administration Division in order to transition a Mail Carrier from part-time to full-time status (while maintaining the part-time strength for flexibility). Within the Department of Public Safety, one additional full-time general fund position is requested in the Safety Director’s Office in order to assist with increased needs and workload. Furthermore, the Department of Technology requests one additional full-time position in the Administration Division.
Three additional changes are requested to reallocate existing positions, resulting in no net change in cumulative strength. This ordinance includes personnel levels for the formal establishment of the Office of CelebrateOne, and represents the corresponding changes in levels within the Mayor’s Office. Specifically, the Office of CelebrateOne will receive 17 full-time and 2 part-time positions previously dedicated to CelebrateOne programming. Within the City Auditor’s Office, three full-time general fund positions will transfer between divisions. Finally, one full-time non-general fund position previously dedicated to the Smart Cities Initiative will transition to the Traffic Management Division within the Department of Public Service.
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 1220-2021; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Executive 2021 budget was submitted to City Council on November 12, 2020 for consideration; and,
WHEREAS, City Council adopted said budget on March 1, 2021; and,
WHEREAS, this ordinance repeals authorized strength ordinance 1220-2021; 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 and hereby fixed and established as follows:
-1- Refer to attachment ORD1736-2021currentstrength.xlsx
-2- Refer to attachment ORD1736-2021previousstrength.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-four (34) Fire Battalion Chiefs nor as a temporary complement, in excess of thirty-five (35) Fire Battalion Chiefs at any one time; sixty-one (61) Fire Captains nor as a temporary complement, in excess of sixty-two (62) Fire Captains at any one time; one (1) Fire Chief; and two-hundred four (204) 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, 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, fifty-eight (58) Police Lieutenants, nor as a temporary complement, in excess of sixty (60) Police Lieutenants at any one time; in excess of, as a normal complement, two hundred twenty-nine (229) Police Sergeants, nor as a temporary complement, in excess of two hundred thirty-three (233) 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. 1220-2021 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.