Page 83 - City of Watauga FY22 Adopted Budget

Unfunded Financial Impact
& Unmet Future Needs
Needs (Salary, Benefits,
Training and
UNFUNDED POSITIONS FLSA FY2021-22 FY2022-23 FY2023-24 FY2024-25 FY2025-26 Equipment)
Status
Justification: Currently, the Librarian - Adult Services, Director of Library Services and Assistant Director of Library Services cover the Reference
Desk. A Librarian - Reference is needed to manage this division of the Library. The Reference Desk oversees 22 public computers, answers phone
calls and helps customers who come into the Library looking for information, services and books. The Reference Desk instructs customers on how to
use computers, databases and downloading eBooks/eAudiobooks onto their devices. Library customers are often not computer literate. A Reference
Librarian would also be responsible for developing promotional materials that advertises classes, resources and events, as well as regularly completing
a variety of statistical reports and visual presentations. These duties have had to be divided among those staff rotating at the desk. At present, the
Reference Desk has one 19 hour/week Library Assistant assigned to the desk. A full-time Reference Librarian would ease staff shortages and improve
customer service by assuring adequate desk coverage at all times allowing other leadership within the Library to focus on their duties and assignments.

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.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Assistant Director of Tecnhology and
Communications E 0 0 0 Reclass 0 $ 5,825
Systems Administrator E 0 0 0 0 Reclass $ 5,825
Information Technology Support Specialist II NE 0 0 0 Reclass 0 $ 5,825
Communications Specialist II/Public Information
Officer NE 0 0 0 Reclass 0 $ 5,825
Communications Specialist I NE 0 0 Reclass 0 0 $ 5,825
Subtotal Department 0 0 0 0 0 $ 29,125
Justification: The positions of Assistant Director of Information Technology and Communications, Systems Administrator, IT Support
Specialist II, Communication Specialist II/PIO and Communication Specialist I positions are not additional positions, but reclassifications for the
future as department responsibilities increase.
PARKS & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Chemical Applicator & Irrigation Technician NE 0 0 1 1 1 $ 44,727
Summer Parks Maintenance Worker NE 0 0 0.25 0.25 0.25 $ 7,042
Subtotal Department 0 0 1.25 1.25 1.25 $ 51,769
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 Summer Parks Maintenance Worker position was unfunded in FY2020-21 and is need to help keep the parks clean during
the summer as well as assist with the Splash Pad.
POLICE
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Mental Health Police Officer NE 0 1 2 2 2 $ 171,622
Police Officer (FY2022-23) NE 0 0 2 2 2 $ 160,122
Police Officer (FY2023-24) NE 0 0 0 3 3 $ 240,433
Police Officer (FY2024-25) NE 0 0 0 0 3 $ 240,433
Subtotal Department 0 1 4 7 10 $ 812,610

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