Page 323 - Watauga FY21 Budget

Unfunded Financial Impact
& Unmet Future Needs (Salary, Benefits,
Needs Training and
FLSA
UNFUNDED POSITIONS Status FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 Equipment)
It is requested that the existing Library Assistant I - Youth Services position be reclassified to full time. The Youth Service Department is one of the
busiest areas in the Library and has worked hard to establish a strong relationship with schools and other organizations in our community. We not only
serve those who visit us in-house, but increasingly we receive requests from community organizations to provide service and educate them on what the
Library has to offer. We also have a very high circulation of Youth library materials. Youth Librarians must research current trends in education and
early literacy skills. It takes a great deal of time to do the research and locate materials that support this very important mission. We hope to develop
new programs, especially for our homeshool families. With current staffing levels, we are sometimes put in a position of having to rethink our priorities
with the potential of neglecting an important program or service. With this reclassification, the Youth Librarians would have more time for collection and
program development. In addition to providing needed public desk coverage, the Library Assistant could keep social media/website updated. A Library
Assistant I - Adult Services is requested to assist with the stark increase in the number of In-house classes and events, and the attendance at these
adult oriented programs in the past six (6) years. Comparing the total numbers of In-house adult classes and events from FY 2012/2013 (429) to FY
2017/2018 (1,195) there was a 178.55% increase. Attendance at these programs in FY 2012/2013 (3,360) to FY 2017/2018 (14,789) was 340.15%
increase. Public libraries are gateways to their communities that provide a way for folks to connect with resources, learn new skills and meet others.
The increase in attendance we see is evidence of the success the Adult Services Department is having in the community. More staff is needed to
sustain this success. The Library Assistant - Circulation and Homework Help Center Coordinator postions were unfunded in FY2020-21 to
assist with revenue losses, but will be considered for funding in FY2021-22.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Director of Technology and Communications E 0 Reclass $ -
Information Technology Manager E 0 Reclass $ 6,569
Information Technology Support Specialist NE 0 0 1 1 1 $ 62,190
Media Specialist NE 0 1 1 1 1 $ 62,190

Subtotal Department 0 1 2 2 2 $ 130,949
Justification: A title change from Chief Information Officer to Director of Technology and Communication is requested if the position of Media
Specialist is created to encompass the communications role. The Media Specialist is requested in FY 2021-22 and would be responsible for photograph
documentation and filming and production of video programming for City events. Working with the Communications Specialist, this position would work
to enhance the City's communication efforts between City staff and citizens, would manage all digital signage throughout the City, would manage the
City's PEG channel and would create new content for the web site and City Youtube channel. This position would also assist in web site maintenance.
The Information Technology Manager position is requested in FY2022-23. Information Technology is the foundation for all City operations.
Succession planning is paramount in sustainability in services. Work-loads are increasing. This position would be a reclassification of the exisiting
System Administrator and would be an assistant director level position from which a person could successfully transition to the Director role. It would
include supervision of the proposed Support Specialist, added roles such as budgeting, and would also retain system administrator responsibilities.
This position would also serve in the abscence of the Director. An Information Technology Specialist position is requested in FY2022-23. The role
of I.T. in the organzation is critical and the requirements of current staff continues to outpace reasonable expectations. As the foundation for all City
operations, I.T. requires adequate personnel to handle the various deployments of new technology, the maintenance of existing technologies and the
over-all manpower to address growing technology needs and concerns. Presently, existing staff is spread very, very thin and as a result, critical areas of
responsibility are at risk, including security. There is only so much two individuals and facilitate. Staff is required to prioritize and often, lower priorities
are not addressed in a timely fashion due to the lack of manpower. This proposed position would take the day to day support responsibilities off of
exiting staff so that system administration, planning, security and other necessary I.T. requirements can be successfully addressed. Current staffing
levels are not sufficient to maintain existing levels of service.

PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Director of Parks and Community Services* E 1 1 1 1 1 $ 124,295
Chemical Applicator & Irrigation Technician NE 0 1 1 1 1 $ 44,727
Summer Parks Maintenance Worker NE 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 $ 10,000
Subtotal Department 1.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 $ 179,022

Justification: The Chemical Applicator & Irrigation Technician is requested to augment the Parks Department. Specialization in irrigation will allow
for scheduled checks and maintenance of the irrigation systems throughout our parks which can results in water savings. This additional position would
relieve the Landscape Gardener and Parks Superintendent of irrigation and chemical spraying duties allowing them to focus on other parks' issues and
their beautification. The Parks & Community Services Director and Summer Parks Maintenance Worker positions were unfunded in FY2020-21 to
assist with revenue losses, but will be considered for funding in FY2021-22.
POLICE
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Reserve Police Officer (PT) NE 0 0 0.25 0.25 0.25 $ 27,229

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