Title
Approval of Additional Community Planning and Development Geographic Information Specialist (GIS) Position
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the addition of a GIS Specialist position and direct staff to prepare an appropriation ordinance for Council to consider at a future meeting, to fund the position through existing funds.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve one additional GIS Specialist position to meet development and customer service demands.
Staff Contact:
Leonard Bauer, Deputy Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8206
Presenter:
None - Consent calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
Since 2015, Community Planning and Development (CP&D) has used a Permit Specialist to perform Geographic Information Specialist (GIS) data analysis and produce maps for a number of high-priority City projects, including Action Plan indicators, housing and homeless response, Missing Middle, parking strategy and management, economic development, neighborhood programs, and permit review. The level of staff work and public communication for these and other projects would not have been possible without this data analysis and mapping. This was possible due to the skills and training of an individual permit specialist, who has recently left the City for another opportunity. Prior to 2015, the City contracted with Thurston Regional Planning Council for GIS services of about $10,000/year for a much lower level of service than having in-house GIS expertise has provided.
Since 2015, CP&D has added three lines of business (economic development, housing/homeless response, and downtown programs). The additional work and public expectations for these programs has greatly increased the demand for GIS data analysis and mapping. Additionally, the introduction of new permit and parking services software featuring numerous online and location-based services increases demand for GIS support.
The impact of authorizing this position would be cost-neutral to the General Fund. Dedicated funds are available for this additional position as shown on the attached funding analysis. These funds include development review, parking, community development block grant administration, economic development, and neighborhood programs. A small annual amount ($1,936) would also be dedicated from the existing CP&D general fund budget.
It takes full Council approval to add staff, and it takes Council authority to appropriate the revenue. Due to the immediate need created by the departure of a staff member, CP&D is requesting approval of an additional GIS Specialist position and will prepare an appropriation ordinance for a future Council meeting to approve the funding for this position through existing funds as shown on the attachment.
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
Adding a GIS Specialist position will allow staff to respond to neighborhood and public interests and issues more effectively.
Options:
1. Approve adding one GIS Specialist position to CP&D.
2. Do not approve adding one GIS Specialist position to CP&D and eliminate CP&D’s in-house GIS program, and no longer be able to use GIS to visualize and analyze data geographically for timely decision making and public involvement.
Financial Impact:
This position would be funded by existing funds as shown on the attachment.
Attachments:
GIS Funding Analysis