Agenda - Council - 04/11/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CASE # FINANCE DEPARTMENT VACANCY By: Ryan R. Schroeder, City Administrator Background: On April 3, i1995, Council was informed at a Council workshop of the resignation of Accounting ~upervisor Mary Gomez. Mary has accepted a position with a division of Minnegasco.~ Atmhed is the April 3 martial submitted by Finance Officer Jessie Hart Also attached is the five-year!staffing plan and a proposed job announcement for your consideration. The previou!Iy submitted material was intended to describe for you the changes in the accounting function over time using wansacfion and dollar volume examples. It should also be recalled by the majority of the Council that other changes have occurred in this organization ibetween 1990 and today. In 1990, th~ Council was unable to make quality informed decisions based upon knowledge ~f financial position. At that time, Council was unaware of its financial position in/[ny enterprise, trust or agency fund. It didn't have any financial policies beyond thoge statutorily required. The City's various funds, such as the equipment replacementifund, for all intents and purposes, did not exist. It was unable to rely on secure funding for any programs or projects. Today the City has the highest bond rating of any Minnesota City its size or any Anoka County city gxcept Fridley It has a funded five-year capital improvements program, a capital eqmp~nent revolwng fund funded at almost 100 percent, and a pubhc ~mprovement revolving fugd which utilizes interest earnings to fund the municipal portion of the street maintenanceiprogram (created in 1993). Parks development now occurs in a structured fashion using interest earnings. Also, the City has been able to purchase and initiate industrial p~k development. All of the above (among other examples) is possible because of our abilityito know our financial situation on a moment's notice. Ramsey's fin!racial policies, programming and position is unsurpassed by any comparably- sized commt~nity. Given that the current system works and works well, I don't see any need to mak{ changes. Granted, a supervisor in a department of 2.5 FTE's seems on its face as overl~ill, however, this structure seems to work. In our system, this allows for the Finance Officer to be more involved in budgeting, economic development, and managementi than would otherwise be the case. Therefore, I am recommending filling the position as it ~appears in the five-year plan. Personnel Committee Action: Motion to authorize filling the position of Accounting Supervisor in Class 13. - and ~ Motion to approve posting and advertising the position pursuant to the attached job posting. - and - Motion to direct the City Administrator to proceed with the hiring process as directed (what level of invol/vement does the Committee wish?) Reviewed b~y: City Adminisirator Finance OffiCer PC: 04/11/95 /jmt