Page 25 - City of Watauga FY22 Adopted Budget

BUDGET-IN-BRIEF

Personnel, Compensation and Benefits

The FY2020-2021 budget constraints did not allow for a merit or cost of living adjustment
for employees (civil-service and non-civil service). However, step increases for civil
service employees were included.

In the FY2021-2022 budget, the following is included:

o Continued funding for civil service step increases.
o 3% pay increase for all employees.

Retaining and attracting qualified staff is integral to our organization. Civil service and
non-civil service retention, hiring, and retirements have impacted the City in the last few
years. Funding for a benefits and compensation study is included this year to determine
if salaries and benefits are competitive.
Personnel Changes

In FY2020-2021, there were 12 full-time equivalent eliminated positions and 8.75 frozen
and unfunded positions due to budget constraints and the reorganization of the recreation
center operations.

In the FY2021-2022 budget, a total
of 8.75 full-time equivalents have
been added to the budget. Of
those positions, 6.5 full-time
equivalent positions were restored
and funded. 2.25 positions have
been added as determined by the
Personnel Improvement Plan.
Personnel positions in the City
have decreased since 2012 due to
a shift in shared services
(jail/dispatch) with surrounding
cities, the implementation of contract
labor for mowing services, and a reduction in staffing due to recreation center operations,
elimination of positions, and the freezing/unfunding of positions in order to decrease
spending.

Positions will continue to be evaluated as fiscal conditions improve. Personnel changes
(not including reclassifications) are listed below:

Recreation Department – (1.75) Full time equivalents have been restored and
funded this year due to the addition of program services and events that were
suspended in FY2020-2021.

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