Page 19 - Watauga FY21 Budget

BUDGET MESSAGE FOR FY 2020-2021

of $867,914 are planned this fiscal year and are outlined in the Capital Outlay Plan
Summary.

Changes in operating expenditures vary in each fund based on the nature of the
services provided in each fund.

Personnel, Compensation and Benefits

The budget constraints did not allow for a merit or cost of living adjustment for
employees (civil-service and non-civil service). The step increases for civil service are
included in this budget.

Police and Fire retention, hiring, and retirements have impacted the City in the last few
years. Improvements to the hiring processes, and compensation, began in FY2016-
2017 and continue in order to attract and retain public safety personnel. In FY2018-
2019, Police Corporal positions were funded and in FY2019-2020, a mid-year budget
amendment was approved for Driver/Engineer positions. Both of these measures were
taken to provide funding for a path of growth and promotion opportunities.

There are 12 full-time equivalent eliminated positions and 8.75 frozen and
unfunded positions this year due to budget constraints combined with a reorganization
of the recreation center operations:

Recreation Department – (5) Full-time equivalent positions were eliminated and
(1) position was not funded this year due to the department’s reorganization and
evaluation of program services and events. The eliminated positions include
three recreation attendants (1.5 FTE), pre-school instructor (.25 FTE), one
recreation programmer, one recreation superintendent, playtime attendant (.25
FTE) and the summer recreation program positions (1 FTE). Various programs
were reduced such as public use of the workout facilities, fitness classes, pre-
school and after school programs, summer camp, and certain events.

Finance Department – (2) Full-time equivalent positions were eliminated this
fiscal year. In FY2019-2020, the finance department was reorganized and the
Payroll Specialist position duties were absorbed by existing staff and accounts
payable duties were reallocated. In FY2019-2020, the Deputy City Marshal
retired and the position was eliminated. These duties were absorbed by the City
Marshal and other public safety personnel. The summer intern position
(.25FTE) is frozen and unfunded this fiscal year.

Public Works – (6) Full-time equivalent positions were unfunded this fiscal year
in various divisions. These include three utility maintenance workers, and
three streets maintenance workers. Two (2) positions were eliminated and
include a permit technician, and combination building inspector position. The
building inspector position duties have been contracted and costs are covered
by permit fees.

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