Title
Water Services Department and Phoenix College Pilot Degree Program (Ordinance S-51231)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Maricopa County Community College District, Phoenix College, for a total not to exceed $150,000. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Further request to authorize an exception to the requirements of Phoenix City Code section 42-18 to allow inclusion of a mutual indemnification provision in the agreement. The risk of this exception is low due to the nature of the educational services provided.
Report
Summary
The Water Services Department (WSD) has partnered with Phoenix College to create a pilot program for WSD employees that will provide an opportunity for supervisory staff to obtain higher education that will allow them to promote into higher manager level positions.
The pilot degree program will assist WSD employees obtain their Associate's and Bachelor degrees by providing:
- An onsite location at a WSD facility for employees to meet once a week with Phoenix College.
- Employees will be together as a cohort as they work through the curriculum to obtain their Associate’s degree.
- Phoenix College will facilitate each employees next steps as they move to a virtual environment for their Bachelor’s degree.
- WSD will pay the course tuition for each employee directly to Phoenix College and be reimbursed through the Employee Development Fund Program, in accordance with Administrative Regulation 2.51.
The Training Division of the Water Services Department will serve as the liaison to Phoenix College in support of this program.
Contract Term
The agreement will become effective on or about October 1, 2024, for a two-year term, with an option to extend for an additional three years.
Financial Impact
The total agreement cost will be up to $150,000 for the first two years of the contract term, of which the Water Services Department will be responsible for funding.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Water Services Department.