REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: January 29, 2018 Report No. DEV-18-007
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Bill Brown, Director of Development Services and Vicki Gannon, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT:
Title
Early Budget Request - New Planning Technician position and renovation of office space
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council approve the following early budget requests:
1) $54,600 for a Planning Technician position for 2018; and
2) $20,000 to create a new work space in the Development Services Department to accommodate the new Planning Technician.
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RELEVANT POLICY:
Financial Plan Bylaw
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This initiative is not related to any specific Council strategic priority.
BACKGROUND:
The Development Services Department is seeking Council approval to fund a new Planning Technician position. The Department is under considerable stress trying to process increasingly complex rezoning and development applications and at the same time complete its other work such as revising the Official Community Plan.
In order to accommodate the additional position that would result from hiring a new Planning Technician, new office space has to be created using the existing floor space. It is anticipated that the necessary renovations could cost up to $20,000.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
Due to heavy work loads it is desirable to hire a Planning Technician to assist staff with application processing and answering inquiries.
2. Organizational Implications
This change will result in one additional position, namely the Planning Technician.
3. Financial Implications
The salary including benefits for 2018 would be $54,600. In addition, it is estimated that office renovations would be $20,000.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
This initiative does not have any direct sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
This initiative does not require direct community engagement. There are opportunities through the budget process for the public to provide Council with comments related to the budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
1 That Council approve the following early budget requests:
1) $54,600 for a new Planning Technician position; and
2) $20,000 to create a new work space in the Development Services Department to accommodate the new Planning Technician.
2 That Council not approve the following early budget requests:
1) $54,600 for a new Planning Technician position
2) $20,000 to create a new work space in the Development Services Department to accommodate the new Planning Technician.