Michael Quinn Sullivan, whom I’ve written about before on the blog, a guy I really admire and respect, took his shot at Keller today:
When Keller’s city manager eliminated his own position this spring, saying the city didn’t need so many administrators, conservatives and taxpayers cheered someone watching out for the people. Apparently we all cheered too fast. Lots of folks from around the nation jumped on the story. We even dubbed the out-going Keller city manager, Dan O’Leary, an “Honorary Taxpayer Champion.”
But it appears all is not what it seemed. The Fort Worth Star Telegram‘Watchdog’ — Dave Lieber — reported over the weekend that the city didn’t actually save much money, if any. According to Mr. Lieber: The Watchdog has learned that the savings have largely evaporated. After salary increases were granted to four top employees, including the new city manager, only $55,000 in savings are likely, City Manager Steve Polasek said. The raises cost $75,000 in base pay and more in benefits. According to a flowchart presented by Polasek to council, the city is adding a $55,000-a-year management assistant, too. The city — and Mr. O’Leary, who Mr. Lieber reports is starting a new job soon in Duncanville — now say saving money wasn’t really ever their goal. Yep, we should have known; this was city government, after all…
So not only did Keller taxpayers not get savings from the $175,000-plus-benefits salary when O’Leary “eliminated” his own job, but the city is adding a new position to the municipal payroll.
Bottom-line: it looks like a big fat nothing for Keller taxpayers.
As I explained Friday, we all knew of the plans long before they were announced. Nowhere did O’Leary claim to be saving the city his whole salary; he just let the press report how they wanted to report it.
If you look at the number of employees Keller has compared to other cities, you will find that we do a whole lot more with a whole lot less. That includes running a regional dispatch center, a regional jail facility and providing police protection to the City of Westlake.
Saying the citizens got a big fat nothing isn’t the case here. But, as in the original reporting on O’Leary’s resignation, the whole story is different than what was reported.
I ask you this simple question, would you take on a promotion to lead an organization and not expect to be compensated? Especially if you have other options of working for another organization for more money?
One potential cost savings that has not been discussed is the $30,000 that was not spent by not hiring a consultant to do a new City Manager search. I applaud the city council on this savings and hiring from within.
I also applaud City Manager Steve Polasek’s new organization structure which will make the city become even more efficient, provide better service to the citizens and greater cost savings long term. I welcome anytime a council and staff saves the taxpayers money without cutting vital services. These changes did just that.
I agree wholeheartedly in paying market rates, especially for senior management, where turnover, inexperience and incompetence cost the taxpayers far more than the savings in salary.
But I am flummoxed by the hiring of a management assistant, and would like to hear the justification for it.
Jim – I asked Steve for clarification for you. He explained it in person, but I didn’t take notes
Below, please find the essential job functions for the Management Assistant position as included in the job description. In short, there were a number of on-going areas of responsibility (see hi-lights below) that Chris Fuller and I previously were responsible for in addition to our direct departmental oversight duties. Also, Chris and I championed numerous special projects to include such things as a special events policy, charter amendments, naming policy, EECBG grant application and administration, NCTCOG grant application and administration, fee schedule review, etc. With our new roles, it would be difficult for either of us to manage our current assignments while still giving proper attention to those areas of previous responsibility. As an example, the new management assistant (who is officially scheduled to begin on May 29th) has already been assigned to develop this year’s NCTCOG Grant application for our recycling/composting program and perform an analysis of electric providers. (The City of Keller belongs to a power aggregation entity designed to procure power contracts at the lowest cost. The city’s membership with this entity expires December, 2013. However, this month, the entity informed the city that in June of 2012 it will renew contracts for a 2 to 3 year term, in order to capture what they foresee to be as much as 20% more favorable rates during said term. The entity will only permit its members (Keller) approximately 30 days to determine if they will renew the contract or opt-out to join another similar power aggregation entity. Given the brief time to analyze aggregate power plans, among the first projects the Management Assistant will oversee will be the analysis and recommendation of which power aggregation entity to join, and the savings afforded therein.) Both of these items have due dates of around June 22nd. Please let me know if you need anything further.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Coordinate, perform research, and manage assigned projects, including garbage and recycling contract; cell tower leases; franchise utilities for electric, gas, telephone and cable; and other special projects as directed by the City Manager.
2. Attend meetings, make presentations, and write proposals, reports and summaries.
3. Provide oversight for the City’s Public Arts program including serving as the staff liaison to the Public Arts Board.
4. Receive citizen/council complaints and resolve, or attempt to resolve, such complaints through the use of various forms of communication.
5. Respond to requests for information and materials from citizens, citizen groups, civic organizations and the news media.
6. Assist with the preparation and administration of the budget for the Administration Department and City Council.
7. Be flexible to work evenings, weekends, etc. based upon business need.
8. Organize and coordinate various special events.
9. Act in a supervisory capacity as assigned.
10. Organize and coordinate the preparation of various brochures and newsletters.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Perform other duties as assigned or directed.
I’m seriously considering applying for that job.