Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance amends the current authorized strength, as set forth in ordinance 1569-2017.
While strength levels in the aggregate for most city departments are set to be equal to the 2017 budget as amended by City Council, the strength levels of certain general and non-general fund agencies will be amended to facilitate the movement of existing positions in alignment with service delivery efficiency measures contained in the Mayor’s Executive 2018 budget proposal. With only two exceptions, no department will receive an increase in aggregate strength above that previously set forth in ordinance 1569-2017. Contingent upon the adoption of a final 2018 operating budget, a companion authorized strength ordinance shall be proposed at that time, reflecting amendments to the proposed 2018 budget by City Council.
The ordinance increases the authorized strength figure by two full-time general fund positions for the Municipal Court Judges to facilitate the hiring of two Probation Officers in the Domestic Violence Unit. In the Department of Public Safety, one full-time general fund position, the result of a recent retirement in Support Services, will be repurposed to the Director’s Office as an HR Analyst in an effort to further consolidate and streamline HR operations within the department. In addition, five full-time general fund positions in the Support Services Communications Section will transition to Fleet Management in the Department of Finance and Management, which will improve service delivery by better aligning job duties with operational needs. The Department of Development will reduce their aggregate strength level by one full-time position with the transition of a Graphics Technician, previously housed in the Administration Division, to the Print Shop within the Department of Finance and Management. The balance of the transfers within the department are largely the result of realignments coinciding with the funding of certain positions moving away from the Community Development Block Grant to other funding sources.
In the Department of Finance and Management, the aggregate strength level will increase by a total of 12 full-time positions, split evenly between the general fund and other funds. The addition of six full-time general fund positions is the result of an Office Assistant, 2 custodial positions, and 3 security personnel anticipated to be hired within the Facilities Management Division upon completion of construction on the new facility at 111 N. Front St. The remaining six positions are the result of the aforementioned transitions from Safety and Development. Interdivisional transitions within Public Service will not affect the aggregate strength level of the department. Various positions previously split funded within the Director’s Office will move completely off of the general fund onto the street construction maintenance and repair fund. In the Traffic Management Division, all general fund personnel expenditures will transition to the parking meter program fund. Similarly within the Department of Public Utilities, 69 full-time customer service positions will move from the Division of Water to the Director’s Office.
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 negative fiscal impact associated with the 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 maintain and preserve 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 1569-2017; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Executive 2017 budget was submitted to City Council in November 2016 for consideration; and
WHEREAS, City Council adopted said budget on February 6, 2017; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance amends authorized strength ordinance 1569-2017; 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 ORD3130-2017currentstrength.xlsx
-2- Refer to attachment ORD3130-2017previousstrength.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 (60) Fire Captains nor as a temporary complement, in excess of sixty-one (61) Fire Captains at any one time; one (1) Fire Chief; and two-hundred two (202) 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-seven (57) Police Lieutenants, nor as a temporary complement, in excess of fifty-nine (59) Police Lieutenants at any one time; in excess of, as a normal complement, two hundred twenty-five (225) 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. Student intern positions are not subject to the authorized strength ordinance.
SECTION 4. That Ordinance No. 1569-2017 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.