County Executive Ken Ulman?s budget proposal requesting several new employees doesn?t tell the whole staffing story, County Council members said Tuesday.
During the year, some part-time positions became full time, or some positions may have been added ? details absent from the budget that prompted some council members to question whether they had all the information needed to make budget decisions.
“If positions are added over the course of the year and not articulated, what we don?t see easily is the growth that could have happened in government during the year,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Sigaty, D-District 4.
Sigaty and her colleagues raised concerns about the murky staff numbers several times during budget discussions this month.
For example, in the State?s Attorney?sOffice, a position was converted from part time to full time, but that move wasn?t explained in the budget proposal. Council members want to know how many positions were added during the year, so they know just how many a department really needs, Sigaty said.
“The real growth in government comes from the addition of positions. That is the growth of government you sustain over time,” she said.
In a push for more detail on the changing staff numbers, Councilman Greg Fox has requested an annual report from the county?s personnel officer detailing positions created during the fiscal year. The county executive can appoint staff within the budget limitations.
The report would also outline any positions filled by current employees or created by the personnel officer.
Fox?s legislation would also require quarterly reports summarizing which positions have been reclassified during the fiscal year.
“It allows us to keep a better handle on what is actually occurring,” said Fox, D-District 5.
The report would be issued by May 1, giving the council time to review it before launching into budget deliberations. Fox said he requested the information last year and this year, but didn?t receive it, so he opted for legislation. Budget Director Ray Wacks said legislation wasn?t necessary, and his department can provide that information upon request.
The personnel officer already submits an annual report, but this bill would require a more explicit account of created positions, Sigaty said.
