City hopes to cut number of contracted positions to save
money
In an effort to reduce the amount of contracted employees,
consolidate responsibilities and have more of an in-house presence
for customer service, the city of San Juan Bautista is planning to
hire a community development director.
City hopes to cut number of contracted positions to save money
In an effort to reduce the amount of contracted employees, consolidate responsibilities and have more of an in-house presence for customer service, the city of San Juan Bautista is planning to hire a community development director.
The employee would report to City Manager Stephen Julian and be responsible for “planning, organizing and coordinating planning, building, engineering and other activities related to the economic and residential development of the city and the preservation of historic resources.
“We’ve had a contract planner for some time and we’ve contracted for code enforcement,” said Julian, noting that the position has garnered “a number of applicants.”
“Given the budget, I can’t afford to spend that kind of money (on contract employees). In a small city like this, everybody’s got to do almost everything.”
Julian said he occasionally responds to code enforcement calls, taking pictures of alleged violations.
The community development director, with a posted salary range of $54,000 to $63,000, plus health benefits, could serve as acting city manager in Julian’s absence and also help prepare the annual budget, according to the job description. The employee could also represent the city at meetings with county officials and various community organizations.
The city is still negotiating a contract with Julian, an hourly employee whose title has been acting city manager for some time. The intent is to have him receive a flat, monthly fee, with Julian paying for his own expenses and benefits from that money.
In the job description for the community development director, San Juan is called a “small city with limited staff, financial means, or clerical resources.” Employees, it continues, “are expected to be able to multi-task, prepare their own work and accomplish their assigned tasks with a minimum amount of clerical and staff report.”
The current staff of the city of approximately 1,700 includes a deputy city clerk, utility billing clerk and Julian. Other roles, including planning and attorney services – among others – are contracted out.
