02-19-2019 StaffingCity’s Budget Update
Parks Department
City Council Meeting, February 19, 2019
Presented by John Hutton,
Parks Director
Policy Question:
Should City Council authorize staffing of one term limited nine (9) month regular employee within existing Parks budget appropriation to help offset the loss of landscape contracted
services?
Background:
August 2018 the Prevailing Wage Rates for Landscape Maintenance Contracts were adjusted by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
The associated rates changed from $17.87 per hour to $37.67 per hour for laborers (a 112% increase). Equipment operators also increased from $24.00 to $63.50 an hour.
Background:
In order to continue contract mowing of 21 Parks and Facility sites, the costs would be more than doubled.
Parks does not have the capacity to absorb this increase or the manpower to cover the workload.
Per the direction of the Mayor, we reviewed options to stay within the 2019 and 2020 budget.
Background:
In the past Parks operated two (2) in house mow crews to handle all other associated sites outside of the contracted sites.
Parks will need to create a third crew to cover the previous contracted sites.
As a result we are requesting to use existing Park funds to hire a term limited regular employee for nine (9) months during peak season.
Background:
Not enough budget to cover a needed year round FTE, but we can cover a nine (9) month position with allocated budget found in contracted services and seasonal staff line items.
Maintenance Worker 1:
Nine (9) months including benefits is $52,600.00
Previous contract maintenance was $51,400.00
The additional $1,200.00 will be funded out of the department operations
Recommendation:
Authorize the addition of one term limited nine (9) month regular Park employee within existing budget appropriations.
Previous Contracted Parks:
Adelaide
Alderdale
Alderbrook (Formal section only)
Cedar Grove
Coronado
Dash Point Highlands
Dumas Bay Sanctuary
English Gardens
Previous Contracted Parks:
Lake Grove
Lakota
Laurelwood
Olympic View
Palisades
SW 312th Sport Courts
Sculpture Park
Wedgewood
Wildwood
Winco
Other Sites – Some Contracted Services:
City Hall
Dumas Bay Centre
Federal Way Community Center
Brooklake
Performing Arts & Event Center
Questions