MEMORANDUM

To:     Mike Wildgen

          City Manager

From: Debbie Van Saun

          Asst. City Manager

Re:     major issues for 2006 budget

Date:  February 8, 2005

The following list has been submitted by the various departments in response to a request to provide a description of major issues contemplated for the 2006 Budget.  Some caveats while reviewing the list:  there are no cost estimates attached to these items, but they are all rather significant in terms of financial commitment; these issues have not been evaluated but are presented as potential items for consideration during the budget process; issues have been summarized and can be further detailed as the budget process unfolds; and finally, the list is primarily composed of issues designed to “maintain current service levels” and are not service enhancements or ventures into innovative programs that could be proposed to increase service levels to the community.

Administrative Services

· staffing – for all three divisions of the department to maintain current programs (includes city-wide training coordinator position)

· Human Resources Information System (HRIS) to track, sort, and report personnel related data and automate data entry processes

· employee health care costs

Finance

· staffing – Field Service Representative to handle collections, service requests, etc.

· replacement of hand-held meter reading device

Fire/Medical

· staffing – 9 FTE’s for Station #5

· squad vehicle -  vehicle replacement

· technical rescue vehicle – vehicle replacement

Human Relations/Human Resources

· staffing – Human Resources Technician

Information Systems

· comprehensive coverage for disaster recovery (technology resources)

· phone system replacement – City Hall, LEC, Kaw Water Treatment Plant

Neighborhood Resources

· staffing – Building Inspector to handle building permit plan review and permit coordination, field inspections, assisting with administration of the sign code, and coordinating the contractor licensing program

Parks & Recreation

· staffing – downtown maintenance/beautification, facility maintenance, electrician, rec centers, ROW maintenance, etc.

· ROW maintenance programs (tree planting, turf management, etc.)

· development of undeveloped park property

· Memorial Park Cemetery (future of this private facility)

Planning

· codes implementation & education workshops (including web page redesign)

· development process evaluation & reinvention

Police

· facility upgrades/rehab – ITC and evidence facility

· records management system/computer upgrade

· City Commission direction re: resource plan alternatives

Public Transit

· staffing – ROW and shelter maintenance (share with P&R?)

· JoCo/DgCo transit study

· facility study

Public Works

· staffing – street maintenance, facility maintenance (airport, public safety facilities, etc.)

· infrastructure maintenance programs – increased funding

· solid waste operations – staffing and equipment to match system growth

Utilities

· Wakarusa River Water Quality Reclamation Facility siting study (public education, awareness, etc.)

· CIP implementation schedule

· staffing – plant operations and collection system maintenance

General Issues

· energy costs – natural gas increases

· fuel costs

· maintaining competitive employee wage adjustments

· facility capacity to house City equipment and staff

· refine public improvements financing process and implement

· implementation of homeless policy

· Hughes-Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning – City financial support