Page 46 - Watauga FY22-23 Budget

BUDGET OVERVIEW – BUDGET-IN-BRIEF

o 1 Summer Parks Maintenance Worker (.25 FTE)

Fire Department – (.50) Full-time equivalent position was added this fiscal year
o 1 Administrative Assistant (.50 FTE)

Finance Department & City Manager Department – (.50) Full-time equivalent
position was restored and (.50) Full-time equivalent adjusted.
o 1 Deputy City Marshal (.50 FTE)
o 1 Economic Development Coordinator (.50 FTE) – previously
Finance Assistant

Human Resources Department – (1.00) Full-time equivalent position was added
this fiscal year.

o 1 HR Coordinator (1.00 FTE)

Public Works – (6.0) Full-time equivalent positions were funded this year, of which
3 positions were restored in various divisions that had been unfunded/frozen in
FY2020-2021. A reorganization of the Public Works Department is underway to
ensure appropriate staffing is in place for critical functions. The below positions
have been funded this year:

o 1 Utility Maintenance Worker (1.0 FTE)
o 1 Equipment Operator (1.0 FTE)
o 1 Street Maintenance Worker (1.0 FTE)
o 1 Permit Technician (1 FTE)
o 1 Fleet Mechanic (1 FTE)
o 1 Building Technician (1 FTE)

➢ The City’s Employee Retirement (TMRS) rate is forecast to be 15.06%, up 0.05%
from last year’s rate of 15.01%.

➢ Health insurance cost increases over the last few fiscal years have been a major
concern in the City. This fiscal year, health insurance was originally forecast to come
in at an 29% increase in the budget, but staff and the City’s broker was able to
negotiate the increase to 21.1%. The City contributes some funding to dependent
insurance costs and matching contributions for employees’ health savings accounts.
The City will streamline this process and roll out a cost sharing model for insurance
premiums in the coming fiscal year.

➢ Programs Funded this year that were not funded last year include:

Employee engagement and events are a priority this fiscal year and funding has been
added to provide for more programs that bring city employees together. The
WataugaFit program continues to be funded this year. This is an employee wellness
program to identify risk and provide avenues for behavior modification which reduces
chronic disease, medical costs, and absenteeism. It is a priority of the City to continue

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