09-06-18 Special Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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Automated Server Monitoring $35,000 event one or more goes down. The current year service will not negatively impact the mission of the City. Reduce Consulting Fees $5,000. In the past, we have had a number of IT related projects going on at the same time, creating the need for outside consulting services. Fortunately, we are completing or have completed many of those projects. Reducing this line item will not negatively impact operations. Eliminate the Director of Planning $137,000 Unfortunately, upon further consideration, I have found this idea to be ill conceived. Eliminating this position would hurt day to day operations. This position has daily oversite for all permitting, code enforcement, planning, and GIS functions. I believe that not having someone dedicated to this task would be a critical mistake. Additionally, we are receiving very highlyqualified applicants, several of whom could prove to be a tremendous asset to the City. Reduction in Liability Insurance Fund $30,000. As presented in the budget hearings, staff intends to move forward with this cut. There is no negative impact to the City. Legal/ Prosecutor $101,000. Staff was directed to identify the logistic associated with retaining the current City Attorney while hiring a full time in- City council shall appoint a competent attorney, duly licensed by the State of Texas, to be city attorney and head of the department of law. He shall be appointed and removed at the will and pleasure of council by a majority vote of the entire council, and shall receive compensation as may be fixed by council. The city attorney, or other attorneys selected by him with the approval of council, shall represent the city in all litigation, provided that council may retain special counsel. He shall be the legal advisor of, and attorney and counsel for, the city and all offices and departments thereof. This Charter provision brings to light a couple of questions. 1. City Attorney is a department head (i.e. head be some who is not a regular full time employee? 2. What is the desired reporting structure? Charter does not reference the position of Prosecutor. Question 1. My opinion is that Council could opt to maintain the current relationship with Askins and Askins as City Attorney and allowing them to head the department of law. However, I think that a Charter revision will be required to have City Prosecutor that reports to the City Council, which I assume is the desire. Golf Course Deficit $200,000. The aim of this directive was to reduce the General Fund subsidy of the golf course by $200,000. Through analysis, I believe that we can generate an additional $70,000 in golf revenue through increased fees (please see attached). We have to balance the need to enhance revenue with market constraints. Pricing ourselves out of business will not help. Staff believes that we can increase revenues by $70,000 and still be competitively priced. Additionally, staff will begin a very aggressive marketing campaign. While staff is very certain that marketing will help to increase the total number of rounds played, it is very difficult to quantify for budget purposes. I would recommend increasing fees and re-evaluating in 12 months. Reduce Base Salary Increases by $186,000. Reducing dollars available for employee merit increases is an option. A reduction of $186,000 would leave $300,000 available for salary increases. A reduction is not desirable for the following reasons: It would apply only to non-civil service employee. The current Meet and Confer agreement gives civil service employees a market base adjustment each year. It could negatively impact employee morale. It could lead to more turnover of valued employees. It could contribute to employees being further behind as it relates to pay in the local government market.