The Kenai City Council discussed the potential of adding a part-time staff member to the Planning and Zoning Department on Wednesday, January 2nd.
According to City Manager, Terry Eubank, typical resolutions (2024-01) like this are normally brought up during budget considerations. But considering that there is a vacancy, Eubank believes it was a “prudent” time to bring it forward.
“We thought it was prudent to bring this forward at this time not only to try to help reduce workload for the planning department, but also, we didn’t want to get in a situation where either we now had to wade through attrition or disrupt an employee or laying employee off so, that kind of was the impetus for bringing it forward at this time,” said Eubank.
When it comes to the workload, Planning and Zoning Department Director Linda Mitchell says that having another helping hand would benefit her and everyone else “substantially,” explaining that there are a lot of roles and responsibilities in this job position, and she needs to be able to focus on the long-term plans for the city, and have the hired staff support her in the day-to-day assignments.
“And I can’t focus on this comp plan and historic preservation plans, things that will allow us to be eligible for grants. So, it’s overdue and I think this will really help this department out,” says Mitchell.
Eubank explains that at the moment, the council has budgeted for two full-time positions for the Planning and Zoning Department. Currently, they only have a full time and a half time position filled.
“So, what this does by adding a half time position, it’s going to allow us to recruit for our vacant halftime, to a vacant full time,” said Eubank.
Eubank does mention that having a part-time assistant would be a reoccurring cost to the city and would be equivalent to adding a half-time full-time equivalent (FTE).
“So, the department will have a 2.5 FTE equivalent if this goes forward the estimated cost if this had been in place on the FY 24 budget would have been an additional $27,000 annually. And we expect that to be a reoccurring cost and if it’s subject to growth just like all the rest of our personnel costs, but this is multiyear,” said Eubank.
Although looking for candidates may be difficult, Mitchell is hopeful that the department will be able to find someone to is willing, and able, to do the job.
“A lot of the candidates did express that they wish it was a full-time job, but it was challenging to find a full-time staff with experience and planning background. But maybe this season and time is different and we’re hoping that we’ll get better candidates this time around,” said Mitchell.
After a unanimous vote, the resolution was adopted.
