ITEM:		CONSENT CALENDAR
3.	CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS TO CONTRACT FOR TEMPORARY CLERICAL HELP IN THE WATER DEMAND DIVISION
Meeting Date:			January 27, 2011	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			Darby Fuerst, General Manager	Program/ Line Item No:	Temporary Personnel
Prepared By:			Cynthia Schmidlin, Stephanie Pintar	Cost Estimate:	$15,504
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Administrative Committee reviewed this item on January 19, 2011 and recommended approval.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The District has been contracting for clerical assistance from a local temporary agency since April 2010 to assist the Water Conservation Technician II and Conservation Representatives. This temporary worker has been providing essential day-to-day support for Water Demand staff by answering phones and providing initial customer service, as well as performing word processing and data entry. Key duties assigned have involved the processing of the growing number of Rebate Program applications and the time-consuming process of “data migration”, a key component of implementation of the new database system. The need for continued clerical assistance has proved not to be temporary in nature, and increased attention on conservation programs by the Water Demand Division requires the services of another staff member who can provide technical assistance to customers seeking rebates and can answer questions on the policies and procedures. Therefore, in November, 2010, the Board authorized the addition of a new Conservation Technician I/II position to the District Organization Chart. Funds for this new position were provided by changing the vacant Conservation Analyst position to an “unfunded” status. Recruitment for the position began on December 2, 2010 and closed on January 4, 2011.

However due to the proposed decision by Administrative Law Judge Maribeth Bushey denying Cal-Am’s Application to reinstate the MPWMD User Fee on the Cal-Am bill to fund the Mitigation Program, including water conservation projects, recruitment for the Conservation Technician position has been suspended. If a secure funding source is determined, the position can be filled. However, until final decisions are made regarding mitigation funding, the District will need the continued services of a temporary office support person in the Water Demand Division. The funds authorized by the Board for this purpose in FY 2010-2011 will be expended by February 8, 2011. Additionally, with recruitment for the vacant Office Specialist position also suspended for the immediate future, the temporary office worker could provide assistance, as needed, to the Support Services Supervisor in such areas as answering phones and assisting in large mailing or copying projects.

RECOMMENDATION: Recommend authorizing the expenditure of budgeted funds for a local temporary agency to provide an individual, or successive individuals if necessary, to perform clerical and customer service duties in the Water Demand Division from February 8, 2011 through June 30, 2011.

IMPACTS TO STAFF/RESOURCES: The proposed budget for FY 2010-2011 includes $75,500 for temporary help in the Water Demand Division. Of this total, $58,370 has been expended, leaving a balance of $16,630. A temporary agency employee, employed from February 8, 2011 through June 30, 2011 will cost up to $15,504.

BACKGROUND: In April, 2010, the Board authorized the expenditure of funds for a local temporary agency to provide office support in the Water Demand Division for the remainder of FY 2009-2010. In June, 2010, the Board authorized the expenditure of funds to continue this support for a period of approximately 26 weeks or an expenditure of up to $19,670 in FY 2010-2011. In November 2010, the Board authorized the addition of a new Conservation Technician I/II position to the District Organization Chart.

EXHIBITS

None

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