City proposes new in-house attorney, project manager and operational positions; committee told hires could reduce contractor costs

City staff presented a package of proposed personnel changes and additions meant to reduce contract costs and support growing operational demands.

Key proposed hires included a full‑time in‑house city attorney (projected fully loaded cost roughly $225,000) which staff said would significantly reduce current outside‑legal spending (staff currently spend roughly $150,000–$200,000 annually on legal services). The city also proposed a full‑time project manager (estimated $170,000 fully loaded) to manage the growing volume of capital projects and to replace ad‑hoc contracted program management.

Public‑safety and public‑works related positions included a combined victim‑advocate/evidence technician for police (estimated net general-fund impact about $23,000 after reallocating an existing vacancy), a wastewater maintenance position, and a facilities lead to coordinate building upkeep across city assets. Staff also proposed a part‑time custodial position to replace a long‑standing contract service; staff noted this move could slightly reduce materials and services costs but would add payroll and benefits in the general fund.

Staff flagged a six‑month, half‑year accounting position to handle increased accounts-payable volume but said that hire depends on schedule for moving into the new business center and is therefore proposed only as a half‑year addition. The budget committee asked staff to provide further detail and prioritization for these requests; no hiring decisions were made at the meeting.