Page 16 - KennedaleFY24AdoptedBudget

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proposed budget.

City Personnel

As in any organization, competent and experienced city employees are essential to meet the vision and goals

of the council and the needs and expectations of our citizens. It is generally known that municipal government

and private sector organizations are competing for a smaller, highly qualified pool of available employees in
the current job market. Needed market salary adjustments have become the new norm, as municipal

governments continue to face a shortage of personnel throughout the state and the country. However, I am
pleased to announce that for the for the first time since the pandemic, the City of Kennedale is almost

completely fully staffed. In an effort to retain our employees, this budget proposes a compensation increase
between three and eight percent for all employees, contingent upon job related skills, knowledge, and abilities

associated with their current position. However, although this is positive increase for all employees, the

compensation in some positions will remain below the current market average with plans to address the market
pay gap as soon as practical. The recommended budget also includes three new employees vital to meet the

needs of our growing community. These new positions include two public works employees and one
EDC/Library event planner.

In our FY 2022-2023 budget, we outlined professional expectation goals for city staff members. I am proud to
announce that we achieved most of last year’s goals. Unachieved goals were as a result of financial constraints

or the inability to meet the fiscal year timeframe. Uncompleted objectives will be incorporated into this year’s
goals and directives for employees.

Unified Development Code (UDC)

One of our FY 2022-2023 budget goals included an update to the Comprehension Plan and the Unified

Development Code (UDC). This project will continue into FY 2023-2024 under this proposed budget with
input from our elected officials to address anticipated growth in local business and urban development.

Accordingly, a thorough review and subsequent updates of the policies and procedures in the UDC is crucial

to our success in the present and in the future.

The updated UDC will provide the city with the ability to communicate and enforce clear and measurable

expectations and building standards for developers while minimizing conflict regarding contradictory policies
and guidelines in our current UDC standards. Having clear and measurable development standards helps

elected officials, city administrators, and citizens as the city continues to grow. Developers are also provided
the opportunity to evaluate proposed projects vis á vis our community standards when exploring opportunities

in Kennedale. A strong, clear, and concise UDC creates a benchmark for future development in the city in line

C I T Y O F K E N N E D A L E . C O M / C M O