Title
Amendments to Pay Ordinance S-47689 in Accordance with Human Resources Committee 617 Recommendations - Budget and Research Analyst Job Family (Ordinance S-49437)
Description
As part of an evaluation of the organizational structure within the Budget and Research Department, the following amendments to the Pay Ordinance [S-47689] are proposed in accordance with the recommendation of Human Resources Committee 617, effective Feb. 20, 2023. The proposal will also require modifications to the City’s Classification Plan [S-5815], which will be processed under a separate ordinance.
Establish the classification of Budget and Research Analyst, Job Code 05600, Salary Plan 001, Grade 039 ($70,970 - $107,910/annually), Benefit Category 007, Labor Unit Code: 008, EEO-4 Category: Professionals, FLSA Status: Exempt.
Establish the classification of Senior Budget and Research Analyst, Job Code 05610, Salary Plan 001, Grade 040 ($74,630 - $113,589/annually), Benefit Category 007, Labor Unit Code: 008, EEO-4 Category: Professionals, FLSA Status: Exempt.
Establish the classification of Principal Budget and Research Analyst, Job Code 05620, Salary Plan 001, Grade 041 ($78,562 - $119,267/annually), Benefit Category 007, Labor Unit Code: 008, EEO-4 Category: Professionals, FLSA Status: Exempt.
Report
Summary
BACKGROUND
The Budget and Research Department has a strong need for a new job family that will be responsible for central management of the City’s capital improvement programs, preparation and administration of the annual operating budget for the City, including revenue estimating and forecasting, long range fiscal planning, and conducting organization and management studies citywide. There is a need to distinctly identify a Budget and Research Analyst job family with specific and different minimum qualifications separate from the general Budget Analyst job family.
FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS
There are 12 positions currently classified as Management Assistant II and three positions currently classified as Budget Analyst III responsible for citywide budget development and forecasting. Budget analysis responsibilities include: reviewing and analyzing capital and/or operating expenditure and revenue estimates and base budget requests; performing complex citywide budget, financial and operational analysis; assessing availability of funding and appropriation authority, and acceptability of the use of restricted funds; recommending adjustments; management of processes to review capital and bond funded projects; management of capital needs analyses; reviewing and approving budget control documents, Requests for Council Action (RCAs), and Statements of Readiness (SORs); conducting research studies, writing reports, and developing recommendations for process improvements, cost savings and operational efficiencies; performing costing for the labor negotiations process; ensuring all legal budget adoption steps are completed accurately and timely; discussing recommendations with management, and preparing assigned sections of City budget books. Changing the classifications and pay grades to a more appropriate title of Budget & Research Analyst and Senior Budget and Research Analyst would reflect the scope and experience needed for both classifications and assist with retention and recruiting.
The new Principal Budget and Research Analyst will be responsible for performing highly complex and advanced professional fiscal analysis, revenue forecasting and research duties in support of the preparation and administration of citywide operating funds. This classification is responsible for researching and analyzing a wide variety of economic and financial data, interpreting the impact of economic trends on citywide budgets, and developing revenue projections and related recommendations. The Principal Budget and Research Analyst develops the annual General Fund Status and Five-Year Forecast, works with economists from the University of Arizona’s Economic Business and Research Center to update the econometric forecasting model used to project city and state sales taxes, and produces multi-year forecasts of all City funds for the quadrennial Expenditure Limit process.
All the above recommendations would assist the City with attracting qualified candidates in a highly competitive market.
Financial Impact
The total estimated cost for the entire proposal is $35,346.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
This action was reviewed and recommended for approval by Human Resources Committee 617 on Jan. 20, 2023.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Human Resources Department.