City makes big cuts, makes department reorganization

This decision, plus other cuts like not filling three other positions, will slash between $200,000 and $250,000 from the city budget.

Mayor Dick Kirchoff announced the changes Monday afternoon in a press conference.

The changes will become effective in 30 days, pending council approval at its meeting today (Tuesday).

He dubbed it "reorganization of structures within city hall."

"These decisions were not made over night," Kirchoff said. "It took time; it took meetings; it took cooperation; it took teamwork, but these are our plans."

Kirchoff said of the city's $5.8 million budget, 75 percent of it represents personnel and benefits. The cuts, he said, would free up more of the budget to complete projects.

"We've got an excellent city here. All we've got to do is take care of it," Kirchoff said. "You know where the economy is today and what it looks like down the road, it's not very pretty. By the same virtue we will accomplish this if we take a look at efficiency, productivity on a business-like basis."

One of the biggest change was disbanding the city engineering department entirely.

"We have decided to outsource to the private sector all engineering services as needed," Kirchoff said. "We have been doing this for some time on a part time basis."

He also noted that the city outsources, or hires from the private sector, for the city golf course, the YMCA and the library, among others.

Part of eliminating the engineering department meant terminating the position of assistant to the city engineer, held by Gary Cook.

Kirchoff said the decision could "possibly" impact City Administrator/Engineer Scott Langel's position but the city officials "haven't addressed that yet."

Also in the engineering department, the duties of the CAD manager position, which was record management for engineering, will be shifted to the code enforcement officer. That was left open last year.

City Administrator Scott Langel will cover any legal aspects.

Changes to other departments include:

Finance department

*The city will not fill a full-time customer service position at the city hall's front desk. The position was cut last year during about $700,000 in budget cuts. Kirchoff said the city will allocate existing staff to cover this spot, including the administrative assistant, two accounting clerks and the wastewater department secretary.

*Christy Collins, administrative assistant, will assist Bill Cole with the human resource department.

Code enforcement department

*The fire chief and assistant fire chief will assist the code enforcement officer. Outside services may also be used if needed.

Public works department

*One full-time position will not be filled. This position was left open when an individual left last fall.

*Three part-time positions may increase using seasonal staff, which normally last 180 days or less.

*Possibly outsourcing restroom management, tree maintenance and grass maintenance.

"That particular department has 70 miles of streets to maintain. And don't think they didn't get tested in the month of December," Kirchoff said. "They have 235 acres of grass to maintain, 85 acres of which are in parks. And you know when you get a wet summer you mow every week."

Water department

*Shifting a part-time secretary to the wastewater department.

*Increase information technology and connect it more with city hall.

Wastewater department

*Trimming a full-time secretary to a part-time secretary. Administration and finance staff will assist as needed.

*Increase information technology and connect it more with city hall.

Information technology department

"Our website and our computer programs in the city isn't broke, but it's certainly bent. We need to upgrade this.

*Make one city-wide IT department, putting all IT under one roof.

*Hire an outside company to set up the IT system.

Senior management team

*Kirchoff defined the city's senior management team as the mayor, the city administrator, Assistant City Administrator Bill Cole, the city clerk, Bev Langel, the code enforcement officer and the administrative assistant.