City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date: 07/05/05

Item No.:  3     

Recommendation:

That the Common Council concur with the recommendations of the Personnel Committee to revise the structure of management in the Inspection Department by creating the position of Inspection Supervisor, and direct that a job description and appropriate ordinances be drafted.

Background:

NOTE:  THIS ACTION DOES NOT ADD A POSITION.

Over several meetings, the Personnel Committee has reviewed the current departmental structure in various Public Works departments, which include Engineering, Inspection, and Streets, to determine if modifications to the structure were necessary.   At the 06/07/05 Common Council meeting, the Council approved the first recommended change by creating the Street Department as a stand-alone department, rather than a Public Works division, and designating the Street Superintendent as a department manager. The change recommended in this report reflects a second step in the process.

In July, 2002, the Inspection Department was established as a stand-alone department supervised by a Building Commissioner.  In 2003, with the retirement of the person in the Building Commissioner position, the City Engineer/Public Works Director was designated as Acting Building Commissioner and continues in that role.  Because of the volume of work in both the Inspection and Engineering departments, and the shortage of staff in Engineering, it has become necessary to have more direct supervisory oversight and administrative responsibility in the Inspection department.  After lengthy discussion, the Personnel Committee felt that the need could best be met by creating a second-level supervisory position of Inspection Supervisor, reporting to the (Acting) Building Commissioner.  This position would be a “working” supervisor; that is, the duties would include inspection services in whatever realm the employee is assigned.  It is anticipated that the position would be filled from within.

If the Council concurs with the recommendation, the appropriate ordinance would be drafted to show this position as a non-union, non-Civil Service employee below department manager status. A job description would be drafted for review by the Personnel Committee and approval by the Council.  Since this action is not adding another position, it is anticipated that an incumbent employee would be placed in the job.

A working supervisory position generally receives a compensation differential of 5% over the positions being supervised.  The Personnel Committee would review and recommend a salary ordinance to the Council when the job description and ordinance are presented.  

Fiscal Impact:

The costs for any supervisor differential, estimated for 2005 at under $1,500, would be absorbed by the Inspection department budget.

Prepared by and Fiscal Review by :

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk