Explanation
This ordinance amends current authorized strength, as set forth in ordinance 1306-2014, by moving four positions associated with Public Safety communications to the Department of Technology, adding one technology-related civilian position to Public Safety with a concurrent reduction of one uniformed Police position, adding one position to Development in the Land Redevelopment Office, and reducing the overall strength level in the Department of Public Service.
The strength levels for most general fund agencies are set to be equal to the 2014 budget as amended by City Council (including the Recreation and Parks Department). Authorized strength levels of smaller non-general fund agencies are set to be equal to the adopted 2014 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.
As part of the ongoing transition of designated technology functions from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Technology, four positions will move from the Division of Support Services within Public Safety to the Information Services Division within Technology. Further, the Department of Public Safety will add one technology-related civilian position within the Division of Police, while reducing the uniformed strength level by one Police Commander position.
The Department of Development is adding one position in the Land Redevelopment Office. The position will manage the technical and legal processes associated with the demolition of vacant and abandoned properties, including the future disposition of the remaining parcels. The position will be funded via the city's Land Management Fund.
The Department of Public Service is reducing overall strength by 16 positions, to account for 13 intern positions that are not subject to authorized strength restrictions as well as three full-time positions that will remain vacant. Other modifications to strength levels within divisions are a function of the department's recent reorganization and the need to move staff to areas of demand.
Fiscal Impact: Funds for these strength increases 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 passage of this ordinance.
Emergency Justification: Emergency action is requested to allow for the expedited transition of designated Department of Public Safety technology and communications functions to the Department of Technology, for the preservation and maintenance of public health, safety, and welfare.
Title
To establish a new authorized strength ordinance for various divisions in the City of Columbus to be consistent with the adopted 2014 budget; to repeal ordinance 1306-2014; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Mayor's Executive 2014 budget was submitted to City Council on November 15, 2013 for consideration; and
WHEREAS, City Council adopted said budget on February 3, 2014; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance amends authorized strength ordinance 1306-2014 to transfer positions between the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Technology, to eliminate one authorized, uniformed position in the Division of Police, to provide supplemental authority for staff positions in the Departments of Public Safety and Development, to transfer positions within divisions and to reduce the overall strength level for the Department of Public Service, and to be consistent with the 2014 adopted budget as amended; 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 ORD2187-2014currentstrength.xlsx
-2- Refer to attachment ORD2187-2014previousstrength.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; fifty-eight (58) 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 (1718) Police Commanders nor as a temporary complement in excess of nineteen (1819) 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. 1306-2014 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.