Budget Committee approves new director post to lead legislative research and oversight

Chair Aisha Chughtai moved and the Budget Committee approved forwarding an appointed position to the full Council to serve as Director of Legislative Research and Oversight.

Brenda Miller of the Compensation and Classification Department told the committee the position consolidates the former Policy and Research and Oversight and Evaluation functions into a single office within the City Clerk's Office. "The director legislative research and oversight has been evaluated at 645 points, grade 14," Miller said, and noted the 2025 salary schedule ranges from $144,000 to $170,000 with an effective date of Aug. 21, 2025.

City Clerk Casey Carl described the unit as nonpartisan staff supporting the Council's legislative and oversight functions and said the consolidation will include 10 full-time positions, with the director assigned to lead a team that provides policy research, interagency coordination and fiscal oversight for council committees. "It's our goal to have an analyst from this group assigned to each of the standing committees of Council to help the chairs and members with committee work plans and to track legislative output," Carl said.

The chair moved approval; a second was called and the body voted by voice. With nine members present, the motion carried. The committee instructed the clerk to forward the appointment to the full Council for final approval.

The committee requested that the clerks' office and HR confirm the final classification paperwork and effective date prior to the Council hearing.