Minutes - Council Work Session - 08/08/2022

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Administrative Services Director Lasher said this individual is to the point that she needs health insurance so that would be a factor. Councilmember Specht said he agrees with Councilmember Howell. If they are thinking big picture, then something has to be cut, and while recreational things are of great value to the residents, it is not as necessary. He said this is worth the discussion. Councilmember Woestehoff asked if it was a 40 hour minimum for benefits or if it was 34. Administrative Services Director Lasher stated that the minimum was 30 hours. Councilmember Howell asked if she would have insurance if they moved her from 29 to 30 hours. Administrative Services Director Lasher said yes. Councilmember Howell asked what it would cost to just bump her up an extra hour weekly and offer her insurance. Finance Director Lund said that it would be the same amount insurance wise and if the employee does go on insurance, then her single insurance is around $12,800, so it would cost them an extra $12,800. Councilmember Howell asked what would service the residents better, the extra expenditure and having the recreation programs, or if they would just be doing this to make sure that an employee has insurance. She wanted the Council to consider the pros and cons and said she would still like to cut the hours to save somewhere. Administrative Services Director Lasher said she believes that if Interim Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood were here he would say that he sees the need to have the individual at 40 hours a week and it is a plus to be able to give someone health insurance if it would mean otherwise losing them. She said that Interim Parks and Assistant Public Works Director Riverblood has had this in his plan for about a year and a half to bring this position full- time. Councilmember Specht asked if they brought this person on as an intern, it was cheaper and easier because they had to train them. Administrative Services Director Lasher said that several years ago they had a Parks intern for a few years and it was not cost effective because a lot goes into recruiting and training, only to have them turn around and go back to school. What replaced the temporary intern was a part-time recreational specialist, at 20 hours per week. They had quite a bit of turnover and went through three or four 20 hour a week recreation specialists and now they are here with the current individual. City Council Work Session / August 8, 2022 Page 7 of 19