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I’ve been asked by readers to post the full analysis from Councilwoman Donna Frye on mayor staff costs before and after the strong mayor system took effect. The Mayor’s Office has called her analysis “highly deceptive” and “ridiculous,” saying it didn’t take into account numerous cost cutting measures and the consolidation of departments.
The difficulty in making this comparison, cited here and elsewhere, is that departments and positions under the mayor’s direct control have shifted significantly since 2003. Frye said she’s eliminated questionable positions from her breakdown.
The comment box is open if you want to stick up for either side.
Budget Analysis
Council-Manager vs Stronger Mayor Form of Governance
The mayor’s budget has increased under the Strong Mayor form of governance by at least $1 million per year. This is not including the costs associated with adding a ninth council district, estimated at another $1 million annually.
From FY 2003 through FY 2005, the annual budget for the Mayor and City Manager was $3.01 million on average. (31 annual positions on average)
From FY 2007 through FY 2011, the annual budget for the Mayor and Chief Operating Officer is $4.3 million on average. (28 annual positions on average)
NOTE: Numbers are actual. The office of COO was not included in 2007 calculations since it appears to be an anomaly and the Assistant COO was not included for any year under Strong Mayor. The transition Fiscal Year 2006 was also not included in the calculations. Costs include non-personnel expenses.
FY 2003 (31 positions at approx $2.9 million)
Mayor – 29 positions, $2.6 million (page 297, 2005 budget)
City Manager – 2 positions, $394,314 (page 45, 2005 budget)
FY 2004 (31 positions at approx $3.3 million)
Mayor – 29 positions, $2.6 million (page 297, 2005 budget)
City Manager – 2 positions, $406,685 (page 45, 2005 budget)
FY 2005 (31 positions at approx $3.04 million)
Mayor – 29 positions, $2.6 million (page 297, 2005 budget)
City Manager – 2 positions, $441,645 (page 41, 2006 budget)
FY 2006 (Transition to Strong Mayor in January 2006) (27 positions at approx $2.97 million)
Mayor – 25 positions, $2.5 million (page 276, 2006 budget and page 76, 2007 budget)
City Manager/Office of COO – 2 positions, $470,297 (page 41 2006 budget and page 231, 2008 budget)
FY 2007(25 positions at approx $4 million)
Office of Mayor and COO – 2 positions, $228,658 (page 361 of 2009 budget)
New department created called Community and Legislative Services- 23 positions $3.8 million (page 183, 2007 budget)
NOTE: Office of the COO – 17.5 positions costs $2.9 million (page 231, 2008 budget) NOT INCLUDED IN CALCULATIONS
FY 2008 (32 or 33 positions at approx $4.9 million)
Office of the Mayor and COO – 4 positions, $627,891 (page 361,2009 budget)
Community and Legislative Services – 28 or 29 positions, $4.3 million (page 321, 2010 budget and page 97, 2008 budget)
FY 2009 (32 positions at approx $4 million)
Office of the Mayor and COO – 4 positions, $775,950 (page 361, 2009 budget)
Community and Legislative Services – 28 positions, $4.1 million (page 321, 2010 budget)
FY 2010 (25.5 positions at approx $3.7 million)
Office of Mayor and COO – 3 positions, $642,234 (page 359, 2011 budget)
Community and Legislative Services – 22.50 positions, $3.091 million (page 79, 2011 budget)
FY 2011 (25.94 positions at approx $4.2 million)
Office of the Mayor and COO – 3 positions, $754,628 (page 359, 2011 budget)
Community and Legislative Services – 21 positions, $3.3 million (pages 79 through 82, 2011 budget)
Protocol- 1.94 positions, $200,458 (page 79, 2011 budget)
— LIAM DILLON