minfin 12-07-20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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union positions and labor trade professions in a study to be conducted this year. The study is included the budget under professional services. The department will go out to bid for this. Finally, she touched on the merit bonuses as authorized by Ord. 43-09. The merit bonus system will be reviewed in 2021 to ensure fairness. This year the administration provided a straight percentage bonus to all who qualified given the excellent dedication and perseverance sue to COVID. A committee member referenced the Building Department's budget presentation, in which they discussed the challenges of hiring building inspectors. He asked Director Dillinger if she had any ideas for how the City could be more competitive and attract applicants to this position. Director Dillinger explained that the City offers very robust benefits but that young professionals are showing to be more motivated by salary than benefits. She also suggested partnering with schools to highlight these careers. Councilmember Neff suggested that the City try to monetize the benefit package and include that amount in job postings. In response to a councilmember question, Director Dillinger explained that the budget for materials and supplies had increased in 2021 in order to provide new desks. She stated that hers was the last office within City Hall to get this attention and the desks were much needed. In response to a councilmember question, Director Dillinger reviewed the City's trends in health care costs. She explained the 2020 figure is only through October and so the 2020 and projected 2021 will not actually be that far apart. She explained that the increase in costs from 2018 to 2019 could have been the result of one or two high-cost claimants. Councilmember Litten asked for a further breakdown of the 2021 healthcare costs, noting that they are quite a bit higher than in years' past. Director Dillinger replied that the City will always budget for more because it is self-insured and that hopefully that full amount will not be needed. She suggested that inappropriate use of medical resources is partly driving up costs. Mayor George added that the 2021 figure is provided by the Medical Mutual underwriters. Chairman Bullock remarked on several topics in Director Dillinger's presentation. In response to a councilmember inquiry, Director Dillinger remarked further on her department's plans to implement a wellness initiative. She acknowledged some of the initiatives of the past but emphasized that she is seeking to construct a comprehensive strategy for wellness that improves health and lowers claims. Ordinance 22-2020—AN ORDINANCE to take effect on January 1, 2021,provided it receives the affirmative vote of at least two thirds of the members of Council, or otherwise take effect and be in force after the earliest period allowed by law, to provide for creating positions and rates of pay for full-time and certain part-time annual salaried employees... 2