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Home My WebLink About61-25 RESOLUTION113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Resolution: 61-25 File Number: 2025-175 REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL POSITIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT (RESOLUTION): A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ADDITION OF FOUR FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS IN THE ENGINEERING DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THREE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND TO APPROVE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT WHEREAS, Fayetteville's growth has led to many visible impacts, from changes in traffic flows and newly built subdivisions, to modified infrastructure and new businesses and this growth has also led to an increase of work for city staff associated with upholding city ordinances, ensuring life -safety standards, and confronting nuisances; and WHEREAS, where additional resources and tools have frequently been supported by City Council, ranging from additional staffing to new review software, this has not always kept pace with variable, but steadily increasing, workload and application numbers and, as a result, response times fall short of customer expectations, reviews extend past due dates, and staff turnover is heightened; and WHEREAS, in professional fields where most projects span years, continuity and institutional knowledge are comparable in value to certifications and degrees but, within the Planning Division, no staff member remains that was present at the beginning of 2020; and WHEREAS, Mayor Rawn proposes the addition of four new positions within the Engineering Division and three within the Development Services Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby authorizes the addition of the following four full-time equivalent positions in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department: • Engineering Services Coordinator • Plans Examiner —Engineering • Public Works Projects Inspector • Staff Engineer - Unlicensed Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby authorizes the addition of the following Page 1 Resolution: 61-25 File Number: 2025-175 three full-time equivalent positions in the Development Services Department: • Urban Forester - Development Review (Planning Division) • Planning Outreach & Communications Specialist - Long Range Planning Division • Code Compliance Officer - Building Safety Division Section 3: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby approves a budget adjustment, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution. PASSED and APPROVED on February 18, 2025 Approved: Molly Rawn, Mayor Attest: 'X41 Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer Page 2 CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE ARKANSAS MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEMO 2025-175 TO: Mayor Rawn and City Council THRU: Keith Macedo, Interim Chief of Staff FROM: Jonathan Curth, Development Services Director Chris Brown, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Request to create additional positions in the Development Services and Public Works Departments. RECOMMENDATION: City staff recommend approval of a resolution to budget four additional positions within the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department and three within the Development Services Department to improve customer service through development review, code compliance, and long-range planning. BACKGROUND: Fayetteville's growth has led to many visible impacts, from changes in traffic flows and newly -built subdivisions, to modified infrastructure and new businesses. Less apparent is the volume of increased work this represents for city staff associated with upholding city ordinances, ensuring life -safety standards, and confronting nuisances. Where additional resources and tools have frequently been supported by City Council, ranging from additional staffing to new review software, this has not always kept pace with variable, but steadily increasing workload and application numbers. As a result, response times fall short of customer expectations, reviews extend past due dates, and staff turnover is heightened. As an example, within the Planning Division, no staff member remains that was present at the beginning of 2020. Similarly, the 17-person Building Safety Division includes only four staff that were in the group five years ago. In professional fields where most projects span years, continuity and institutional knowledge are comparable in value to certifications and degrees. DISCUSSION: With the above context in mind, staff is proposing seven positions, broken down by organization: Public Works Department o Engineering Division ■ Engineering Services Coordinator: The Engineering Services Coordinator is the administrative staff person for the Engineering Division. There is currently one with work load that exceeds capacity. As a result, technical staff, like review engineers, are performing administrative duties in -lieu of performing timely development review and offering prompt responses to resident and applicant inquiries. This position will improve responsiveness of both administrative and review staff. ■ Plans Examiner — Engineering: The ongoing, heightened period of growth in Fayetteville has resulted in increased review times that prove costly to development and, ultimately, residents. Among the increased number of application types are those that do not Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 require a licensed engineer. This position will improve review times for most classes of project as licensed engineers can then dedicate focus to complex items. Public Works Projects Inspector: The Engineering Division currently includes four public works project inspectors with a responsibility to ensure infrastructure requirements are met. The volume of projects requiring inspection has led to inspectors both spending less time on -site during construction and requiring overtime as necessary. Additionally, a lack of availability inspectors during busy times or during staff absences induces delays in construction projects which results in added costs. The addition of this position can reduce construction delays while ensuring the quality and safety of public infrastructure, and reduces the potential for unanticipated repairs. Staff Engineer — Unlicensed: As the City continues to grow, development review becomes more cumbersome and the current staff of 2 review engineers cannot keep up. Despite regular and consistent work after hours, customers are experiencing delayed reviews and responses. This position will improve responsiveness to customers and timeliness of reviews. Development Services Department o Development Review (Planning) Division ■ Urban Forester: The city currently employs one forester in the Parks Department and one in Development Services. While these both ostensibly work on development review and forestry programming, the amount of growth in Fayetteville and the associated permitting and applications has led to limited focus on programming. Additionally, the volume of work has reduced responsiveness and delayed reviews, diminished the ability to monitor citywide canopy loss and other data tracking, and respond to non -applicant resident concerns. This position will support addressing all of the above. o Long -Range Planning Division ■ Planning Outreach & Communications Specialist: The need for this position is manifold and predicated on a decade and a half of rapid growth with limited staffing dedicated to long-range planning and land use plan implementation. The absence of dedicated staff created a significant implementation and workplan backlog. The results are: limited advancement towards comprehensive plan goals, heightened but unmet resident expectation for participation, and greater demand for cross -departmental collaboration and coordination on planning and CIP projects. This position will increase long-term capacity for planning, public outreach, and communication efforts that currently go unmet or are partially addressed with consultant costs. o Building Safety Division • Code Compliance Officer: Since Code Compliance's integration into Building Safety, case load rose from 1,350 in 2020 to 2,500 in 2022. In 2023 it increased further to 2,600. With rising case loads, Codes ongoing support role for other divisions and departments, and an effort to respond more proactively to resident concerns, an additional officer is needed. This position will support efforts for more timely responses, complaint resolution, and proactive enforcement in areas that pose particular concern if considered instead on a complaints -basis. With the 2025 Annual Budget, seven positions similar to the above were proposed, but ultimately not recommended or approved. Occurring concurrently with the 2025 Annual Budget's development was the finalization of a user fee study that considered development related licenses, permits, applications, and Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 services. In acknowledgment of potential revenue realized from the user fee study's implementation, staff is bringing these seven positions forward to offer improved services alongside increased fees. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: These positions would be funded through the General Fund. ATTACHMENTS: SRF (#3) , BA (#4) Mailing address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 == City of Fayetteville, Arkansas y 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479)575-8323 - Legislation Text File #: 2025-175 Request to create additional positions in the Development Services and Public Works Departments. A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE ADDITION OF FOUR FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS IN THE ENGINEERING DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THREE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND TO APPROVE A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT WHEREAS, Fayetteville's growth has led to many visible impacts, from changes in traffic flows and newly built subdivisions, to modified infrastructure and new businesses and this growth has also led to an increase of work for city staff associated with upholding city ordinances, ensuring life -safety standards, and confronting nuisances; and WHEREAS, where additional resources and tools have frequently been supported by City Council, ranging from additional staffing to new review software, this has not always kept pace with variable, but steadily increasing, workload and application numbers and, as a result, response times fall short of customer expectations, reviews extend past due dates, and staff turnover is heightened; and WHEREAS, in professional fields where most projects span years, continuity and institutional knowledge are comparable in value to certifications and degrees but, within the Planning Division, no staff member remains that was present at the beginning of 2020; and WHEREAS, Mayor Rawn proposes the addition of four new positions within the Engineering Division and three within the Development Services Department. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby authorizes the addition of the following four full-time equivalent positions in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department: • Engineering Services Coordinator • Plans Examiner —Engineering • Public Works Projects Inspector • Staff Engineer - Unlicensed Page 1 Resolution: 61-25 File Number: 2025-175 Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby authorizes the addition of the following three full-time equivalent positions in the Development Services Department: ■ Urban Forester - Development Review (Planning Division) ■ Planning Outreach & Communications Specialist - Long Range Planning Division ■ Code Compliance Officer - Building Safety Division Section 3: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby approves a budget adjustment, a copy of which is attached to this Resolution. Page 2 Jonathan Curth Submitted By City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2025-175 Item ID 2/18/2025 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non -Agenda Item 2/5/2025 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (620) Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: Request to approve seven (7) full-time positions in the Development Services and Public Works departments and to approve a budget adjustment. Budget Impact: Various 1010 - General Account Number Fund Project Number Budgeted Item? No Does item have a direct cost? No Is a Budget Adjustment attached? Yes Purchase Order Number: Change Order Number: Original Contract Number: Comments: Total Amended Budget Expenses (Actual+Encum) Available Budget Item Cost Budget Adjustment Remaining Budget Project Title $ 813,700.00 813,700.00 Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Approval Date: V20221130 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas - Budget Adjustment (Agenda) Budget Year Division Adjustment Number DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (620) /Org2 2025 Requestor: Jonathan Curth BUDGET ADJUSTMENT DESCRIPTION / JUSTIFICATION: Approval of a budget adjustment approving the addition of Seven (7.00 FTE's) and related expenses to be partially offset by an increase in development fees. RESOLUTION/ORDINANCE COUNCIL DATE: 2/18/2025 ITEM ID#: 2025-175 Nolly Black 21512025 70:39 Rln Budget Division Date TYPE: D - (City Council) JOURNAL#: GLDATE: CHKD/POSTED: TOTAL 813,700 813,700 v.202513 Increase / (Decrease) Project.Sub# Account Number Expense Revenue Project Sub.Detl AT Account Name 1010.001.0001-4999.99 176,700 RE Use Fund Balance - Current 1010.640.6400-4201.00 80,500 RE Building Permits/Fees 1010.640.6400-4201.00 105,000 RE Building Permits/Fees 1010.630.6300-4207.00 26,000 RE Licenses - Business 1010.630.6300-4409.01 121,500 RE Planning Fees - Drain/Grading Permit 1010.300.3010-4202.00 14,000 RE Fire Permit - Protection 1010.630.6300-4409.00 161,000 RE Planning Fees - Planning Office 1010.621.6220-5100.00 134,902 EX Salaries/Wages - FT, Regular 1010.621.6220-5105.00 8,367 - EX Payroll Taxes - FICA 1010.621.6220-5105.01 1,958 - EX Payroll Taxes - Medicare 1010.621.6220-5108.00 24,597 - EX Emp Insurance - Health 1010.621.6220-5108.01 448 - EX Emp Insurance - LTD 1010.621.6220-5108.02 15 - EX Emp Insurance - ADD 1010.621.6220-5108.03 466 - EX Emp Insurance - Life 1010.621.6220-5109.06 9,986 - EX Pension - Retirement Savings 1010.621.6220-5200.00 1,400 - EX Supplies - Office/Printing 1010.621.6220-5209.00 19,200 - EX Software 1010.621.6220-5210.00 26,500 - EX Minor Equipment Iof3 Increase / (Decrease) Project.Sub# Account Number Expense Revenue Project Sub.Detl AT Account Name 1010.621.6220-5304.00 7,500 - EX Travel & Training 1010.621.6220-5309.02 1,136 - EX Lease - Software 1010.621.6220-5310.01 498 - EX Utilities - Telephone 1010.621.6220-5331.00 725 - EX Motorpool Charges - Maintenance 1010.621.6220-5331.01 2,921 - EX Motorpool Charges - Replacement 1010.621.6220-5331.02 523 - EX Motorpool Charges - Shop Overhead 1010.621.6220-5331.03 245 - EX Motorpool Charges - Shop OH Insurance 1010.621.6240-5100.00 44,213 - EX Salaries/Wages - FT, Regular 1010.621.6240-5105.00 2,742 - EX Payroll Taxes - FICA 1010.621.6240-5105.01 642 - EX Payroll Taxes - Medicare 1010.621.6240-5108.00 8,199 - EX Emp Insurance - Health 1010.621.6240-5108.01 147 - EX Emp Insurance - LTD 1010.621.6240-5108.02 5 - EX Emp Insurance - ADD 1010.621.6240-5108.03 152 - EX Emp Insurance - Life 1010.621.6240-5109.06 3,316 - EX Pension - Retirement Savings 1010.621.6240-5331.00 725 - EX Motorpool Charges - Maintenance 1010.621.6240-5331.01 2,921 - EX Motorpool Charges - Replacement 1010.621.6240-5331.02 523 - EX Motorpool Charges - Shop Overhead 1010.621.6240-5331.03 245 - EX Motorpool Charges - Shop OH Insurance 1010.630.6300-5100.00 48,506 - EX Salaries/Wages - FT, Regular 1010.630.6300-5105.00 3,008 - EX Payroll Taxes - FICA 1010.630.6300-5105.01 704 - EX Payroll Taxes - Medicare 1010.630.6300-5108.00 8,199 - EX Emp Insurance - Health 1010.630.6300-5108.01 161 - EX Emp Insurance - LTD 1010.630.6300-5108.02 5 - EX Emp Insurance - ADD 1010.630.6300-5108.03 167 - EX Emp Insurance - Life 1010.630.6300-5109.06 3,638 - EX Pension - Retirement Savings 1010.630.6300-5200.00 200 - EX Supplies - Office/Printing 1010.630.6300-5209.00 4,800 - EX Software 1010.630.6300-5210.00 10,000 - EX Minor Equipment 1010.630.6300-5303.00 750 - EX Publications & Dues 1010.630.6300-5304.00 4,000 - EX Travel & Training 1010.630.6300-5309.02 284 - EX Lease - Software 1010.630.6300-5310.01 150 - EX Utilities - Telephone 1010.634.6340-5100.00 48,506 - EX Salaries/Wages - FT, Regular 1010.634.6340-5105.00 3,008 - EX Payroll Taxes - FICA 1010.634.6340-5105.01 704 - EX Payroll Taxes - Medicare 1010.634.6340-5108.00 8,199 - EX Emp Insurance - Health 1010.634.6340-5108.01 161 - EX Emp Insurance - LTD 1010.634.6340-5108.02 5 - EX Emp Insurance - ADD 1010.634.6340-5108.03 167 - EX Emp Insurance - Life 1010.634.6340-5109.06 3,638 - EX Pension - Retirement Savings 1010.634.6340-5200.00 200 - EX Supplies - Office/Printing 1010.634.6340-5209.00 4,800 - EX Software 1010.634.6340-5210.00 10,000 - EX Minor Equipment 1010.634.6340-5303.00 600 - EX Publications & Dues 2of3 Increase / (Decrease) Project.Sub# Account Number Expense Revenue Project Sub.Detl AT Account Name 1010.634.6340-5304.00 3,500 - EX Travel & Training 1010.634.6340-5309.02 284 - EX Lease - Software 1010.634.6340-5310.01 150 - EX Utilities - Telephone 1010.640.6400-5100.00 39,936 - EX Salaries/Wages - FT, Regular 1010.640.6400-5105.00 2,477 - EX Payroll Taxes - FICA 1010.640.6400-5105.01 580 - EX Payroll Taxes - Medicare 1010.640.6400-5108.00 8,199 - EX Emp Insurance - Health 1010.640.6400-5108.01 132 - EX Emp Insurance - LTD 1010.640.6400-5108.02 5 - EX Emp Insurance - ADD 1010.640.6400-5108.03 137 - EX Emp Insurance - Life 1010.640.6400-5109.06 2,996 - EX Pension - Retirement Savings 1010.640.6400-5200.00 200 - EX Supplies - Office/Printing 1010.640.6400-5209.00 5,100 - EX Softwa re 1010.640.6400-5210.00 10,000 - EX Minor Equipment 1010.640.6400-5302.00 600 EX Uniforms/Personal - Equipment 1010.640.6400-5304.00 2,500 - EX Travel & Training 1010.640.6400-5309.02 284 - EX Lease - Software 1010.640.6400-5310.01 830 - EX Utilities - Telephone 1010.640.6400-5331.00 1,220 - EX Motorpool Charges - Maintenance 1010.640.6400-5331.01 5,908 - EX Motorpool Charges - Replacement 1010.640.6400-5331.02 527 - EX Motorpool Charges - Shop Overhead 1010.640.6400-5331.03 358 - EX Motorpool Charges - Shop OH Insurance 1010.090.6600-7602.70 129,000 - 59700 1010 EX Transfers To Funds - Shop 9700.770.1920-5802.00 129,000 - 02078 2025 EX Vehicles & Equipment - base 9700.770.1920-6602.01 - 129,000 02078 2025 RE Transfer from Fund -General 3of3