To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Barry June, Parks and Recreation Director
title
RE: Parks Request to Establish and Post Budgeted Positions
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Genesee County Parks and Recreation staff requests the approval to establish, post, and fill nine (9) positions for Parks and Recreation, budgeted in FYE 2024.
4 - Maintenance Worker II
1 - Park Project Manager
1 - Historic Village Master Mechanic
1 - Parks Operations Manager
1 - Park Maintenance Vacuum Truck Operator
1 - Director of Finance and Park Operations
BACKGROUND:
The proposed positions fulfill the duties and responsibilities set by the Parks and Recreation Commission and County Board to maintain and support the services provided by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Proposed positions lay the groundwork for succession planning in the Parks and Recreation Department. The proposed positions address the current and future needs of the Department, enhance maintenance efforts and abilities, and improve support services and management of park operations and revenue generating facilities.
DISCUSSION:
Parks anticipates the opportunities to be promotional vacancies. There will be no increase in Department position count.
* Maintenance Worker II positions increases knowledge, abilities and skills associated with the maintenance and service of park equipment and buildings, obtaining certifications that benefit the employee as well as the Parks, including Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification, Certified Playground Safety Inspector, and Sawyer Felling and Bucking, and EPA Certification.
* Park Project Manager position will increase abilities and skills associated with the construction of park projects. This position offers additional support services to the park projects team. This position became vacant in FYE 2023 due to a transfer to a part-time position. Parks is seeking to keep this position active FYE 2024.
* Historic Village Master Mechanic position will satisfy the requirements and responsibilities in the maintenance of vintage rides, mills, buildings, and equipment of Crossroads Village. Park Maintenance Worker positions are not trained or approved to maintain specific vintage equipment.
* Parks Operations Manager position will increase staff support and improve the operation of For-Mar Nature Preserve and Parks Administration, providing better oversight and resources to staff in the areas of facility and day to day operation, programming, grant processing, and staff and time management.
* Park Maintenance Vacuum Truck Operator position has been vacant through majority of FYE 2023 due to a separation. Parks is seeking to keep this position active in FYE 2024.
* Director of Finance and Park Operations position is a reassessment of the current duties assigned to the Parks - Financial Affairs Officer. The position accounts for the increase in responsibilities and facility management, overseeing all revenue generating facilities - Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, Wolverine Campground, 2 boat launches, and Mounds ORV Park, in addition to the management of Parks finance and Parks Reservations systems. This position will oversee 7 full-time Parks staff and 100+ seasonal staff. This position is also responsible for incident investigation/reporting and management of the City of Flint funds and State Parks funds.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
To have personnel position numbers created and commence the hiring process.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
NO USE OF GENERAL FUND. All positions are budgeted for FYE 2024. Positions are fully funded by Parks and Recreation Commission budgeted funds, with no additional County appropriation required.
The final cost impact of proposed positions: There will be a cost savings of $30,166.00 from the retirement of the Financial Affairs Officer and an accounting position not being filled.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
IMPACT ON INDIRECT COSTS:
None.
IMPACT ON OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OR OUTSIDE AGENCIES:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
All proposed positions increase the promotion of environmental stewardship, enhance the resources and services to our community, and increase the safety of the public and staff by retaining skilled and trained staff. Positions embrace a lean management philosophy, increasing resources and key support staff of 400+ Parks employees and 100+ Parks volunteers. Proposed positions improve processes and provide support to ensure understanding and compliance of policies and practices of the County, increasing accountability of staff while providing increased authority to accomplish assignments. Proposed positions enhance data-based decision making and planning throughout maintenance, operations, revenue generating, and finance divisions.
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Parks and Recreation Director to approve to establish, post and fill nine (9) full time positions, including four (4) Maintenance Worker II positions, one (1) Park Project Manager position, one (1) Historic Village Master Mechanic position, one (1) Parks Operations Manager position, one (1) Park Maintenance Vacuum Truck Operator, and one (1) Director of Finance and Park Operations position, budgeted in FYE 2024, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the October 11, 2023 meeting of the Finance Committee of this Board) and the Director of Human Resources is directed to establish the necessary personnel numbers, as necessary, for said positions and to commence the hiring process so that the positions may be filled in accordance with County policy.