Adding ambulance and police, cutting police auditor, community building and outreach, Warner Teen Specialist and Gym Monitor, Olbrich staffing, digital equity, staff pay raises, BRT studies funding and more!
The Finance Committee meeting and Finance Committee amendments are here:
- Part one is amendments 1-10.
- Part two is amendments 11 – 15 (failed cuts to the budget)
- Part three is amendments 16-20.
- Part four is amendments 21 – 25
OPERATING BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Amendment 1a – 9th Ambulance/July Recruit – Cut Police Auditor, Community Building, Warner Teen Specialist and Gym Monitor and Olbrich Staffing
Alders Henak, Tierney sponsor
Add 10.0 FTE Firefighters to the Fire Department budget to staff a 9th ambulance housed at Station 14 and appropriate $577,600 for salaries, benefits, supplies and purchased services for the recruits to begin in an academy in July 2020.
- Make the following reductions totaling $499,432 in the General Fund:
- Eliminate the Police Auditor Position: GF Savings=$200,000
- Eliminate the increase from Community Building & Engagement: GF Savings=$115,000
- Eliminate funding for Warner Park Teen Specialist and remove increase for Gym Monitor: GF Savings=$81,500
- Reduce Olbrich Staffing to half a year (GF Savings=$57,500)
Analysis: The amendment proposes creating 10 additional Firefighter positions to staff an ambulance at Fire Station 14. Beginning in 2021, the annualized cost of these positions is $826,000.
The amendment proposes funding these increases by a variety of reductions to General Fund expenditures totaling $454,182. With the exception of a half year of staffing for Olbrich, all of the savings proposed in the amendment will be ongoing.
Amendment 1b – 9th Ambulance – July Recruit – Eliminate Newly Created Positions
Moreland, Tierney sponsors
UPDATE: Originally not included in the packet
Add 10.0 FTE Firefighter Paramedics to the Fire Department budget to staff a 9th ambulance housed at Station 14 and appropriate $577,600 for salaries, benefits, supplies, and purchased services for the recruits to begin in an academy in July 2020.
Eliminate the following positions and funding:
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- Childcare Mental Health Specialist (CDD): $90,000
- Pinney Library Enhanced Staffing (Library):$194,000
- Accountant (Finance): $70,000
- Warner Park Teen Specialist (Parks): $65,000
- Accountant (Fire): $80,000
- BRT Positions (Metro): $330,000
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Remove funding for snow and ice control on arterial shared use paths adopted by Finance Committee amendment #21: $65,000
Analysis
The proposed amendment creates 10 new Firefighter Paramedic positions to staff a 9th ambulance housed at Station 14. The 2020 Executive Budget includes full funding for a class of ten recruits in the Fall of 2020 to replace anticipated vacancies. This amendment would move the recruit class to July and add 10 recruits to the class to back fill the positions promoted to Firefighter Paramedic.
The amendment also proposes eliminating funding for 11 positions that were newly authorized in the 2020 Executive Budget. Three of the positions proposed for elimination (CDD-Childcare Specialist and the Finance and Fire Accountant positions) were funded by agencies by reductions elsewhere in their budget. Staffing costs for the Pinney Library were added based on the capital project currently underway. The Warner Park Teen Specialist and BRT positions were added as supplemental requests.
Funding for snow and ice removal on arterial paths was added to the budget by Finance Committee amendment #21. The reductions proposed here are ongoing and offset the ongoing operating costs of the Ambulance.
Amendment 1c – 9th Ambulance, Fall Recruit/Various Reductions
Tierney and Skidmore sponsor
UPDATE: Originally not included in the packet
- Add 10.0 FTE Firefighter Paramedics to the Fire Department budget to staff a 9th ambulance housed at Station 14 and appropriate $376,720 for salaries, benefits, supplies, and purchased services for the recruits to begin in a Fall 2020 academy.
- Reduce the funding for the Police Auditor in Direct Appropriations by $75,000.
- Reduce the funding for Community Building and Engagement (CBE) in the Community Development Division’s budget by $115,000.
- Eliminate two of the five newly created positions included in Metro Transit’s 2020 Executive Budget ($150,000): 1. Transit Operator (1.0 FTE)
2. Technology Specialist (1.0 FTE)
Analysis
The proposed amendment creates 10 new Firefighter Paramedic positions to staff a 9th ambulance housed at Station 14. The 2020 Executive Budget includes full funding for a class of ten recruits in the Fall of 2020 to replace anticipated vacancies. This amendment would add 10 recruits to the class to back fill the positions promoted to Firefighter Paramedic.
The Executive Budget also increased the Department’s budgeted overtime by $400,000 from $1.0m to $1.4m. This increase is meant to ensure daily minimum staffing levels are met to operate the City’s 14 fire stations. The budgeted amounts assume various other strategies that the Department will use to meet their Overtime budget. The funding in this amendment is intended to cover the full cost associated with the new ambulance and maintains a fully funded Overtime budget based on the assumptions in the Executive Budget.
The Executive Budget also increases the local match for the SAFER grant by $904,000 from $425,000 to $1.3 million. The grant, awarded in 2018, was used to create 18 new Firefighter positions to staff Fire Station 14. 2020 in the last year of funding through the grant program, starting in 2021 these positions will be fully funded by the General Fund.
The total annual cost of the 9th ambulance is $826,000. The cost to fully fund the positions in 2021 is $449,780. The amendment proposes reductions to three items added to the 2020 budget. These items include:
Police Auditor in the Direct Appropriations budget. It is anticipated funding will be used to hire a new permanent position. This amendment would reduce the funding by $75,000 from $200,000 to $125,000.
Community Building and Engagement (CBE) activities. The Executive Budget increased funding for this program from $200,000 to $315,000 ($115,000 increase), continuing one-time funding that was authorized in the 2019 budget. This amendment would remove the $115,000.
Two of the five new Metro positions (three transit operators, one night supervisor, and one technology specialist) funded by the Vehicle Registration Fee. This amendment eliminates one newly created Transit Operator position and the Technology Specialist position in the Metro Transit budget ($150,000).
In total, this amendment adds $36,720 to the levy.
Amendment 2a – Add 6.0 Police Officers/Offset by multiple reductions including Staff Payraise (3.25 ->3.0%), cut digital equity, reduce BRT funding for studies
Henak, Tierney sponsors
Add 6.0 FTE Police Officers to the Police Department budget and appropriate $335,830 for salaries, benefits, and initial issue for the officers to begin in the Department’s May 2020 Academy.
- Make the following reductions totaling $343,061 in the General Fund:
- Reduce the pay increase for General Municipal Employees from 3.25% to 3.0%: GF Savings=$208,061
- Remove funding for Digital Equity: GF Savings=$20,000
- Reduce the General Fund subsidy to Metro by reducing funding for BRT Studies: GF Savings=$115,000
Analysis:
The proposed amendment creates six new Police Officer positions to begin in the May 2020 academy. The 2020 Executive Budget includes full funding for 310 Police Officer positions; if adopted, the authorized strength will increase to 316 Police Officer positions. The Executive Budget also includes annualized costs for four Police Officer positions that were funded in 2015 by a COPS grant ($362,000).
Nine officer positions were added to the Police Department budget in 2018; one of these was the final position associated with the opening of the Midtown District Station. An additional officer position was added in 2019 to replace an officer position that was upgraded to a Detective Sergeant for the Investigative Services Unit (focusing on human trafficking initiatives).
The total annual cost of the proposed 6 officer positions is $536,400. The cost to fully fund the positions in 2021 is $200,590.
The amendment proposes funding these increases by a variety of reductions to General and Library fund expenditures totaling $343,061. These savings will be ongoing.
One of the proposed reductions is reducing the 2020 pay increase for General Municipal Employees. If adopted, a 5.25% pay increase would be needed if the policy goal is to achieve pay parity in one year. The projected cost (General and Library funds) of achieving pay parity one year is approximately $4.5 million (these costs are not included in the projected annualized cost of the amendment).
Two additional squad cars and related equipment to support these positions will require an amendment to the 2020 Capital Budget; the anticipated cost of the vehicles and equipment is $118,600.
Amendment 2b – Add 3.0 Police Officers / Transfer Expenditures to the Capital Budget
Alders Verveer, Albouras Harrington-McKinney, Lemmer, Carter, Tierney
Add 3.0 FTE Police Officers to the Police Department budget and appropriate $168,000 for salaries, benefits, and initial issue for the officers to begin in the Department’s May 2020 Academy.
Transfer the following expenditures from the operating budget to the capital budget: Planning Division: Funding for Planning Studies added to the budget via FC Amendment #19 ($45,000).
Analysis
The proposed amendment creates three new Police Officer positions to begin in the May 2020 academy. The 2020 Executive Budget includes full funding for 310 Police Officer positions; if adopted, the authorized strength will increase to 313 Police Officer positions. The Executive Budget also includes annualized costs for four Police Officer positions that were funded in 2015 by a COPS grant ($362,000).
Nine officer positions were added to the Police Department budget in 2018; one of these was the final position associated with the opening of the Midtown District Station. An additional officer position was added in 2019 to replace an officer position that was upgraded to a Detective Sergeant for the Investigative Services Unit (focusing on human trafficking initiatives).
The total annual cost of the proposed 3 officer positions is $268,200. The cost to fully fund the positions in 2021 is $100,200.
The amendment also proposes transferring expenditures for planning studies from the operating budget to the capital budget within the Planning Division.
An additional squad car and related equipment to support these positions will require an amendment to the 2020 Capital Budget; the anticipated cost of the vehicle and equipment is $59,300.
Amendment 3 – Adjust Vehicle Registration Fee to Assume Feb 1st Implementation/Transfer Planning Studies to Capital
Alders Foster and Kemble
Reduce anticipated revenue from the Vehicle Registration Fee by $550,000 to reflect a February 1st start date.
Transfer $1,050,000 assumed for BRT studies (Purchased Services) to the capital budget-Bus Rapid Transit project. Transfer the remaining $600,000 of the $1,050,000 assumed for BRT to Metro’s unassigned fund balance. The increased fund balance may be used to support future BRT preparation/service expansion.
Analysis
Reduce anticipated revenue from the Vehicle Registration Fee by $550,000 to reflect a February 1st start date.
Reduce the $1,050,000 assumed for BRT studies (Purchased Services) by the $550,000 in lost revenue from the Vehicle Registration Fee resulting in $600,000 remaining. Transfer the remaining $600,000 of the $1,150,000 assumed for BRT studies to Metro’s unassigned fund balance. The increased fund balance may be used to support future BRT preparation/service expansion.
Adoption of this amendment will require approval of a corresponding amendment to the capital budget adding $500,000 to the capital budget-Bus Rapid Transit project for the BRT studies.
Amendment 4 – Remove Police Auditor
Skimore and Tierney sponsor
Remove $200,000 in the Direct Appropriations budget for the Police Auditor.
Establish a committee in 2020 to provide oversight in developing the position description of the Police Auditor, staffed by two individuals from each of the following groups:
- MPD Command Staff
- MPPOA
- Alders
- Mayor’s Office
- Residents
Analysis
The 2020 Executive Budget includes $200,000 for a Police Auditor in the Direct Appropriations budget. It is anticipated funding will be used to hire a new permanent position. This amendment removes that funding and establishes a committee to provide oversight in developing the position description of the Police Auditor.
Amendment 5 – Peer Support Funding
Alders Bidar, Evers, Carter
Increase funding for Peer Support contracts funded in CDD’s Community Support Services by $25,000. Decrease funding for the newly created Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist position by $25,000 to assume a May 1st start date. The increased funding will increase the purchase of service contract with Nehemiah/Focused Interruption Coalition for Peer Support services.
Analysis
The 2020 Executive Budget includes $400,000 for Peer Support contracts in the Community Development Division’s budget (Service: Community Support Services). Funding for these contracts was increased by $200,000 in the 2019 Adopted Budget; the 2020 Executive Budget eliminated this increase. Two organizations currently receive funding through this contract: Nehemiah/Focused Interruption and Madison Area-Urban Ministry. As proposed here, the increased funding will be awarded to Nehemiah/ Focused Interruption.
The amendment proposes funding the increase by reducing the budget for the newly-created Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. The Executive Budget assumed a full year of funding for the position. As proposed here the position would have an assumed start date of May 2020. The savings would be one-time and would require an increase to CDD’s 2021 budget.
Amendment 6 – Transit Graphic Technician
Mayor Rhodes-Conway, Alder Bidar sponsor
Split an existing full-time Transit Graphic Technician (1.0 FTE) into two part-time Transit Graphic Technicians (0.6 FTE). The amendment will increase the overall authorized position count in Metro by 0.2 FTE.
Analysis
The proposed amendment splits an existing full-time position into two part-time positions. The split will allow Metro to recruit for two different skillsets for the position: one focused on technical projects and one focused on design projects. The part-time positions will be authorized at 0.6 FTE allowing the incumbents to qualify for employment benefits including health insurance and WRS. Costs associated with this change will be absorbed with Metro’s existing personnel budget.
Amendment 7 – Warner Park Community Rec Center Programming
Abbas, Bidar and Kemble sponsor
Appropriate $37,000 in the Parks Division Operating Budget for Kids Need Opportunities at Warner programming and increase contributions from the Madison Parks Foundation for this program by $37,000 to $45,000.
Analysis
The Kids Need Opportunities at Warner (KNOW) program provides opportunities for youth to gather, including programs such as Teen Night, Family Fun Night, the 3ON3 Basketball Tournament Series, and daily open gyms. The proposed amendment will provide support for this program that has been provided for by the Safe and Thriving Grant over the past two years. This includes $10,000 for hourly staffing and may include food, entertainment, and prizes. The Madison Parks Foundation currently supports the KNOW program with $8,000 and has committed to increase their support by $37,000 for a total of $45,000. There is no levy impact with this amendment.
Amendment 8 – Snow Removal at Police Stations
Mayor Rhodes-Conway and Bidar sponsor
Transfer $65,000 from the Police Department (purchased services) to the Streets Division to create a new Street Maintenance Operator II, allowing the Streets Division to provide snow removal services at all police district stations.
The proposed amendment would transfer $65,000 from the Police Department purchased services budget to the Streets Division to create an additional Street Maintenance Operator II position (1 FTE increase). The newly created position will allow the Streets Division to assume responsibility for snow plowing at all Police District Stations. This service was previously provided by Engineering. The 2020 Executive Budget added $65,000 to the Police Department’s operating budget to contract out the service. An initial RFI for proposals indicated contracted snow removal would exceed the amount projected in the budget.
During the non-snow season, the newly created position will be incorporated into the staffing model for other services within the Street Division.
Amendment 9 – Urban Forestry Special Charge (Technical Adjustment)
Increase inter-departmental charges from the Water Utility within the Streets Division budget by $66,000 to fund the administrative costs associated with implementing the Municipal Services bill. This increase will be funded by the Urban Forestry Special Charge.
Analysis
The proposed amendment would increase the 2020 projected Urban Forestry Special Charge by $66,000. This funding would be used to support charges from the Water Utility to administer the Urban Forestry Special Charge as a part of the Municipal Services Bill.
The Urban Forestry Special Charge in the 2020 Executive Budget is $5.16 million, an increase of 17.0% over 2019. This amendment will increase the 2020 rate to $5.22 million, an increase of 18.5% over 2019.
