04/22/08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Case #5: Consider a Resolution Accepting the Resignation of the Accountant I Human Resources Manager Reed Kone reported that Accountant I Angel Hoeffner had submitted a letter of resignation to the City and her last day with the City would be April 28`h Human Resources Manager Reed Kone went on to explain that given the recent discussion regarding a potential hiring freeze, she met with the Finance Officer, Assistant Finance Officer and City Administrator to evaluate whether or not the duties of the Accountant I position could be modified, eliminated, or reassigned to other staff members. As a result of the evaluation, the recommendation from staff was to fill the Accountant I position. Council Member Dehen expressed that he didn't foresee staff coming forward with a recommendation not to fill a vacancy. Human Resources Manager Reed Kone responded that during the last discussion about the potential hiring freeze there was no time to get into the details of the State's hiring freeze; however, one of the challenges with the State's last two hiring freezes (and many others) is that there were many positions that were exempt from the freeze and, in addition to the exempt positions, in 2003 there were more than 700 exceptions made. Often hiring freezes sound like a viable solution to budget crises; however, many local government organizations ultimately find that they are already thin and need to fill vacant positions. Council Member Dehen asked whether staff had considered outsourcing the duties of the Accountant I position. Staff responded that this option was evaluated; however, it is typically smaller cities that outsource payroll. The City of Anoka considered this option but was not able to proceed because third party payroll administrators are typically national companies and they cannot (will not) take on PERA reporting which is required for cities. Council Member Dehen asked if staff had considered reassigning the duties of the Accountant I. Human Resources Manager Reed Kone stated that that option was discussed; however, this is a one -person job class and staff is not aware of anyone in the organization who has the skill set to perform the accounting and payroll duties of the Accountant I position. Assistant City Administrator Nelson explained that although the issues were not brought to the City Council —staff has not requested authorization to hire a new Associate Planner and instead has worked internally to reassign the some of the duties of the Associate Planner position, which has been vacant since mid -March. She further explained that in response to the housing downturn, the Building Inspectors have been assigned some of the Associate Planner duties, such as sign permits and accessory structure review. Staff is in the process of completing a staffing plan for the entire Community Development Department and when that plan is complete, a recommendation about the replacement of the Associate Planner position will be brought forward. Council Member Dehen asked Assistant City Administrator Nelson what would happen if this position were not filled. Assistant City Administrator Nelson explained that the absence of this position would result in an inadequate separation of duties in the Finance Department and that critical functions, such as payroll reporting to state and federal government would have to be Personnel Committee / April 22, 2008 Page 3 of 4