Report Prepared by: Brian Doyle, Interim City Attorney
Title
SUBJECT: Authorization to Modify the Personnel/Budget Allocation in the City Attorney’s Department to Add One Chief Deputy City Attorney Position, to Remove One Senior Deputy City Attorney Position and to Overfill the Position of Paralegal Office Administrator for Four Months to Allow Adequate Time for Recruitment and Training Due to Retirement of Current Incumbent
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers authorizing the modification to the Personnel/Budget Allocation in the City Attorney’s Department.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion adopting Resolution 2023-60, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Amending the Personnel/Budget Allocation in the City Attorney’s Department to Add One Chief Deputy City Attorney Position, to Remove a Senior Deputy City Attorney Position, and to Overfill the Position of Paralegal Office Administrator for Four Months to Allow Adequate Time for Recruitment and Training Due to Retirement of Current Incumbent.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended; or
2. Deny; or
3. Refer to staff for further study; or
4. Take no action
AUTHORITY
Article VII, Section 710, of the Merced City Charter.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2023-24 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
After reviewing the needs and resources of the City’s in-house City Attorney’s Office, the Interim City Attorney has determined that modifications to the current structure and allocation of budgeted positions in the City Attorney’s Department is warranted. The current structure and budget allocation consists of a City Attorney, a Senior Deputy City Attorney, a Deputy City Attorney, a Paralegal Office Administrator, and a Legal Administrative Assistant.
Currently both the Senior Deputy City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney positions are vacant. In order to have a successful recruitment, it is recommended that the Senior Deputy City Attorney position be unallocated and an allocation for one Chief Deputy City Attorney position be approved. The Senior Deputy Attorney annual salary and benefits range is $152,329-$180,330. The Chief Deputy Attorney annual salary and benefits range is $175,156-$208,076 The difference is an increase of $27,746 at the highest range.
In addition, the current incumbent in the Paralegal Office Administrator position will be retiring from the City in the upcoming months. In order to maintain optimal continuity of knowledge and services it is recommended that the Paralegal Office Administrator position be overfilled for no more than four months (sixteen weeks) in order to allow for adequate time for cross-training as the recruitment process continues. The overfill of four months will cost approximately $37,400.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Currently there is sufficient funding in the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to make these personnel revisions. As the Interim City Attorney or appointed City Attorney determines additional staffing changes or funding needed it will be brought back to Council for approvals.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2023-60