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Council approves Munis consulting transfers; separate DPW transfer denied after debate on staffing
Summary
Council approved three transfers totaling approximately $55,000 to hire Munis consulting services for implementation and training, while rejecting a $5,000 DPW transfer to send DPW staff to a Munis conference amid concerns about unfilled positions and departmental capacity.
The City Council approved several budget transfers March 18 to pay for Munis consulting and training but denied one transfer requested from the Department of Public Works.
Finance committee members had recommended moving funds to professional services across multiple departments to pay consultants and trainers for the city's Munis financial/ERP implementation. Council votes approved a package of transfers from the personnel, procurement and treasurer lines (committee items 35, 36 and 37) to professional services; those transfers total roughly $52,503 and were adopted after committee testimony that the consultant would support department heads and train internal "train-the-trainer" staff.
Separately, a $5,000 DPW transfer (item 33) to pay for out-of-state travel to a Munis conference drew more contention. Councilor Sullivan and others opposed moving funds out of DPW payroll lines while key DPW positions remain vacant; they urged the department to prioritize filling positions before diverting funds for travel. After discussion, the council voted 6–5 to deny the DPW transfer.
Councilors pressing for the transfers said consultant-led training is needed to guarantee Munis implementation and to equip staff who will train other employees. Opponents argued the city should use existing departmental funds or wait until vacancies are filled rather than reduce operating lines in understaffed departments.
The adopted transfers were recorded and directed to professional services accounts; the clerk recorded the votes on each item and the finance committee and department heads will schedule consultant work and training sessions.
