STRATEGIES AND COST SAVING IDEAS TO BE EXPLORED

IN 2004/2005

 

 

 

STRATEGY/COST SAVING IDEA

 

 

STATUS

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE

ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS

 

EMPHASIZE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

CDD

1.

Re-examine economic development strategies to ensure that short term and long term goals are achieved and deliverable, including explore incentives

 

 

 

Strategies: City Council adopted goals and priorities on 2/10/04; on 9/28/04, Council clarified goals, reinstated promotion funds, and reaffirmed work program with increased short-term emphasis on sales tax producing businesses

 

Incentives: Study issue, ranked #8 by City Council, will begin in August

Sept. 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2006

Strategy should result in increase in sales tax revenue.

 

 

 

 

N.A.

 

USE TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE COSTS

 

CDD

2.

E-mail business newsletter rather than mail hard copy

The business newsletter was e-mailed for the first time in November.

Nov. 2004

$9,000/year (reflected in 04/05 budget reduction)

CDD

4.

Continue roll-out of hand held units for field operations

Personal digital assistants (PDAs.) are in full operation by building inspectors and are in trial/training phase with neighborhood preservation officers.

Feb. 2005

Increase in productivity will be realized in Building as demand for inspections increases; Neighborhood Preservation has budgeted 49% increase in products for 04/05; a small portion of this increase in productivity can be attributed to introduction of PDAs.

ITD

7.

Establish investment fund to review and implement automation of processes citywide that are not currently automated

 

Funding source identified.  Process developed.  Technology Review Committee formed.  Need to refine selection criteria and develop documentation and SOP.  Also need to prepare RTC for appropriation of funds.

2/28/05

Unknown – Savings may be achieved through automation of certain processes.

FIN/DPW/ITD

8.

Continue the deployment of remote meter reading technology

This project is ongoing.  Currently, remote read technology is being used for all new meters and meter replacements.  At the current pace, full replacement will take approximately 15-20 years.

Ongoing

Upon completion, savings are estimated to be approximately $150,000 per year.

 

EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY METHODS

 

DPR

10.

Explore contracting out recreation services where appropriate

On-going—info provided under “completion date” and “cost savings” is specific to exploration of contracting gymnastics classes.

Completed—analysis phase underway

Unknown—“savings” will be in the form of increased revenue, not decreased costs

OCM

11.

Redesign Organizational Effectiveness program to focus on PAMS and cost containment practices

Work is continuing to rebuild PAMS.  A program restructure will be submitted as part of the City Manager’s Recommended Budget.

May 2005

No further cost savings beyond Council directed budget reductions are anticipated.

 

 

STRATEGY/COST SAVING IDEA

 

 

STATUS

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE

ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS

 

MANAGE/CONTAIN EMPLOYEE SALARIES AND BENEFITS

 

HR/DPW/ITD

13.

Utilize flexible schedules to reduce overtime needs

Administrative Procedure amended 1/14/05

 

Unknown

HR/FIN/ITD

15.

Investigate tiered employee benefits for new hires

Due to vacancy of HR Director, no progress

Unknown

Unknown

FIN

19.

Conduct audit of overtime usage citywide

In process; 25% complete

June 2005

Unknown

HR

20.

Explore alternate medical insurance plans

Due to vacancy of HR Director,

No progress

Unknown

Unknown

HR

22.

Institute a vesting requirement for retiree medical benefits

Completed—went to Council and item has been tabled

 

 

HR

23.

Investigate substituting a PTO program for disability where possible

Completed—investigated during meet and confer with SEA and no changes are proposed

Completed

Unknown

HR

28.

Review provisions of new workers’ compensation law

Due to vacancy of HR Director, no progress

2/28/05

Unknown

HR

30.

Reevaluate the disability leave incentive program

Due to vacancy of HR Director, no progress

Unknown

Unknown

HR

31.

Focus on reducing workers' compensation claims/costs

Due to vacancy of HR Director and Risk Manager, no progress

Unknown

Unknown

 

STRATEGY/COST SAVING IDEA

 

 

STATUS

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE

ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS

 

STREAMLINE CITY PROCESSES

 

DPR

34.

Combine Parks and Recreation Commission with Arts Commission

Completed. Decision made to NOT pursue combination of two Commissions. Instead, Parks and Recreation Commission will meet once per month instead of twice.

Completed January 2005

$6400.

OCM

35.

 Consolidate/update administrative policies

City Manager has approved 15 out of 58 policies.

May 2005 depending on timeliness of dept. submittals and union review.

Data not available.

 

MANAGE THE CITY’S “LIVESTYLE” AND EMPLOYEE EXPECTATIONS

 

FIN

36.

Review level of items supplied by central stores to employees

Research began January 2005

June 2005

Unknown

DPS/DPW/FIN

38.

Reduce low use fire apparatus

To be addressed in Optimal Staffing Study

June 2005

Unknown

 

EXPLORE REDUCING CITY HOURS OF OPERATION

 

CDD/HR/LIB

42.

Close City offices between Christmas and New Years with use of PTO or unpaid time

City operated with minimum staffing on December 27, 28 and 29. Use of time off without pay was voluntary.

 

Evaluation of success of program is underway to determine if City Hall can be closed between holidays in 05.

Feb. 2005

TBD

 

STRATEGY/COST SAVING IDEA

 

 

STATUS

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE

ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS

 

EXPLORE REDUCING CITY HOURS OF OPERATION (Continued)

 

DPR/HR/CDD

43.

Utilize different/shorter business hours for the public

Completed. Executive Leadership Team determined most feasible, effective option would be to further explore #42 above. Other options tabled at present.

Completed October, 2005

See #42.

 

EXAMINE WAYS TO MORE EFFECTIVELY USE CITY WORKFORCE

 

DPR

46.

Eliminate one recreation Superintendent position, replace with lower position

Underway—HR preparing for job recruitment

July, 2005

$25,000

HR

47.

Explore expanded use of job sharing and allowing more part time employees

Just re-assigned to HR; no progress

Unknown

Unknown

DPS

51.

Freeze vacant management positions in DPS during vacancy of Chief

Two Assistant Director positions held vacant for six months.

 

December 2004

 

 

 

 

 

One position to be deleted pending implementation of City Mgr. 04-05 budget reduction plan.

Resources for remaining position utilized for  management reorganization approved by Council 12/14/05

DPS/FIN

52.

Change traditional backfill requirements in Fire when a short term (sick day, etc.) vacancy occurs

Pending results of Optimal Staffing Study

June 2005

Unknown


 

STRATEGY/COST SAVING IDEA

 

 

STATUS

ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE

ESTIMATED COST SAVINGS