Guest column, by Chad Adams

Over the past several weeks I have enjoyed engaging in discussion with the Albert Lea City Council, civic groups, employees, media outlets and the public about the proposed reorganization that was submitted to the council on Sept. 25.

A number of great questions and feedback have been provided in the past three council work sessions and three regular council meetings. I appreciate all of the dialogue and the opportunity to provide clarity on questions and concerns with the reorganization proposal.

On Monday, the public will again have an opportunity to raise questions, concerns or support for some or all of the reorganization during the City Council’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. at Albert Lea City Hall.

There have been a few common questions that have been brought forward in these past several weeks that were not addressed specifically in my October column in the Albert Lea Tribune. In addition to the clarification on these themes addressed below, we posted frequently asked questions and answers on the city’s website, www.cityofalbertlea.org

One of the common questions is: “What are some the benefits or measurable outcomes to be produced to the community from this reorganization?”

While budget savings was not one of the primary goals of the reorganization, the city does expect to save about $120,000 a year through future attrition. These budget savings do not involve elimination of any additional existing employees’ jobs, but will involve a change in pay grade for job positions when attrition (i.e., retirement) occurs over the next several years. It may take up to 10 years to reach that $120,000 a year savings and correlates to about 2 percent of the city’s tax levy.

An additional benefit of the proposal is to reopen the Albert Lea Public Library from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday afternoons. The budget savings identified above will provide the sustainability of the library hours being reopened likely in spring 2015 and in future years. We also commend Freeborn County for partnering with the city through Freeborn County’s 2015 preliminary budget to reopen the library hours on Fridays.

Another measurable outcome would include improved services to the community. The city conducted a community survey in 2012 and departments have established specific measurable goals to increase the quality or quantity of services desired by the community. This spring, we will again measure our progress in meeting those goals and establish new, measurable goals for the next few years.

The reorganization would primarily provide more ability to meet infrastructure needs and services through additional collaboration, shared resources and leadership where we have been unable to fund projects or additional services or provide long-term planning in the past.

Another question has been: “Why does the city hire consultants to provide services rather than city employees and why was the consultant’s report on this reorganization implemented?”

The city does use consultants or contract services temporarily primarily in areas where a position or department is in transition. A good example of this has been a contract finance director position that we have used in the past and currently.

We also use contracted services in areas where there is not enough work to justify a full-time position. An example presently being used is a contract planner due to the downturn in the economy and land-use applications being reviewed.

Fortunately, we have developed a great team environment to review existing projects or expansions such as the St. John’s Lutheran Community campus project and Mrs. Gerry’s Salads Inc. expansion.

Lastly, there are situations where we need to hire expertise in areas of engineering, complicated development projects and personnel law. There are many specialties in engineering, finance and law, not unlike the medical profession, where one or a few city employees are not experts to assist in making the best, cost-effective decisions.

In regard to using a consultant for this reorganization proposal, it was helpful to bring in an objective viewpoint from a long-term experienced city and county administrator to provide observations on our organization after interviewing staff leadership and the City Council.

The consultant’s observations were one resource considered in the reorganization plan. To be clear, the recommendations were made by me upon direction of the City Council when I was hired over three years ago and as established as a top priority in the council’s goal-setting session this past January.

“Why does the city not require employees, particularly senior leadership, to live in Albert Lea?”

In short, Minnesota Statutes 415.16 states that no city or county “shall require a person be a resident of the city or county as a condition of employment by the city or county, except for positions which by their duties require the employee to live on the premises of the person’s place of employment.”

The exception noted in the statute primarily applies to emergency response officials such as fire, police or other emergency management employees. While we would love to have all city employees live in the city, we must abide by state law and allow most employees to live outside city limits due to personal desires or needs.

In closing, I would again like to reiterate that the change of Parks and Recreation Department as a department will not result in a reduction of services in parks or recreation. The city’s parks and maintenance will be sustained and enhanced through more engagement and shared resources with other city Public Works Department employees.

I have confidence that the community will benefit in the short and long term by partnering with other public agencies or other private associates to meet the recreational service desires and needs in Albert Lea. The city would continue to own its present facilities and land through these partnerships.

I look forward to addressing questions or concerns prior to the Monday meeting.

I can be reached by phone, 507-377-4330 or by email, cadams@ci.albertlea.mn.us.

Chad Adams, an Albert Lea resident, is the city manager for Albert Lea.