Discussion:
In response to the continued community growth in Shakopee, city staffing also continues to be monitored and evaluated with a goal of maintaining adequate personnel to provide a balanced, high-quality customer service level. In 2018, City Council approved Public Works organizational structure changes that would be phased in over the next few years that included several internal adjustments of staffing and the addition of one Street/Utilities Maintenance position. In 2020, two additional Parks staff were then added.
As part of the structural changes over that period, some engineering tasks were shifted to consulting engineers to help absorb the spike in workload, specifically in response to increased community development projects and an increase in Capital Improvement Project workload. Subsequent and after working under this scenario for the past couple of years, the increased workload trend continues and is projected to remain high into the coming years based on the scheduled CIP projects and the high amount of community development.
As was reported by Community Development recently, the 2020 Building Permit revenue exceeded $2.8 million. In 2021, Building Permit revenue is tracking to exceed the current budget by almost $600,000 received in the first two months. Engineering staff are directly involved with this work to a high level pertaining to the delivery of these "Building Permit" projects relative to the associated infrastructure and utility work.
Likewise, engineering work is continuing to increase as demonstrated in the 2020 Public Works Budget Key Measures (see below). Specifically, the amount of CIP projects and grading permits are projected at these same high levels into 2021 and beyond.
2020 City of Shakopee Budget Key Measures - Public Works Engineering Division
The recommendation to add this graduate engineer position is needed and is recommended in order to meet the needs of the growing community and infrastructure. It should also be noted that while the level of development and CIP projects may indeed slow in the coming years, the increased miles of infrastructure will remain and so will the increased need and levels of personnel to manage this infrastructure.
The current workload is extreme - It is prudent to add this position to assist in maintaining a positive, healthy environment and balanced workload for the current and future staff in the Engineering Division. Attached is the proposed amendment to the Public Works Organization Chart and the job description for the Graduate Engineer.