The Grandview Heights Finance Committee on Monday recommended approval of a second-reading amendment to the city’s nonunion salary ordinance that would retitle an existing post and allow the city to fill two net new positions.

Staff told the committee the ordinance would retitle the assistant director of service to deputy director of service/engineering manager, add a code enforcement technician I and a crime analyst, and leave an assistant fire marshal position in the collective-bargaining unit to be handled through that process. An administrative analyst explained that the code enforcement position had been funded in this year’s budget but not filled; filling the position next year would not change the budget baseline for 2025, staff said.

Mayor Kearns said the deputy-level service position is intended to add project-management and engineering capacity within the city so residents have an in-house point of contact on large capital projects rather than relying solely on outside consultants: "Residents don't respond to the Ferris project manager as they would to a project manager with the city," he said. Director Hughes described the present staffing model in the service department, noting crew leads do not carry formal supervisory authority and there is no current backup for the director.

On the code enforcement role, staff emphasized public education before any intensified enforcement. One committee member warned the city must avoid abrupt, heavy-handed communications after a seven-year lapse in active property-maintenance enforcement; staff replied initial outreach and education would be prioritized.

Committee member 12 moved to recommend approval of the salary ordinance. The motion was seconded, and at least one committee member verbally recorded "Aye." Committee discussion and the staff presentation took place on the ordinance’s second reading; the recommendation now moves the ordinance back to the full council for final consideration.

Next steps: the ordinance remains at the second-reading stage with the committee’s recommendation to council; council will take final action in subsequent meetings.