City Clerk Laddie Wyatt did not mince words when her turn came up at City Council budget hearings.
Having lost two seasoned staffers to layoffs in the last budget year, Wyatt said, “My office is effectively crippled.”
Wyatt had compiled a list four pages long of duties performed by her office, which serves as secretary to the governing body and also handles city licenses and permits, including those for taxis and liquor establishments. The clerk will play an integral role in the upcoming reapportionment of wards following the 2010 census. In addition, the clerk oversees most aspects of the election process.
Wyatt said if the situation continues for two or three months more, her office will never recover.
One problem is a backlog of paperwork to be filed.
“My vault is a disaster,” she said.
Through Civil Service “bumping rights,” one staffer was sent to Inspections and one to the Health Division last spring, while the office received an employee unfamiliar with the workings of the office.
It recently came to light through a citizen’s inquiry that the office has fallen behind on producing minutes of council meetings.
Among suggestions to improve the situation, Wyatt said the governing body, which acts as the Alcoholic Beverage Control board for the city’s 36 liquor license holders, could spin off the responsibility to a separate board. Councilman Rashid Burney said office fees must cover costs and funding must be allocated so the minutes can be done.
Councilwoman Linda Carter said the office may need to become more “computer-efficient” and Councilwoman Bridget Rivers said perhaps a consultant could be brought in to “get things back on track.”
Council President Annie McWilliams suggested improving staff skills or going outside for help, though the latter would cost time and money.
Asked whether the experienced employees could be brought back to the office, City Administrator Bibi Taylor said outside of involuntary transfers, the “ultimate end of achieving wholeness in the clerk’s office” might be to train the current staff and “bring them up to speed.”
Wyatt herself is on the verge of retirement after about a quarter-century of service. Council members were effusive in their praise of her service and called her irreplaceable. Her departure will mean a further transition for the office in 2011.
--Bernice Paglia
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Bumping rights, step increases, government by consultant, we certainly know how to pay the most for the least. It's almost like a death spiral. We even lay off employees who can accomplish double those we keep. When Bibi's out on leave, maybe she could pen a candid view of what can be done, instead of the usual "It's all in the contract". Why hire a consultant when we need a psychiatrist?
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried to get a record from the City Engineer ? Take a look at his vault in the basement if you ever want a site plans or sewer permit.
ReplyDeleteBibi Taylor, argueably the most capable Administrator in Plainfield for a long time, is in danger of underachieving. While she is extremely knowledgeable and her analysis is usually "spot on" she focuses on what isn't possible instead of producing administrative solutions to the problems at hand too much of the time.
ReplyDeleteAn example would be telling the Council in order to make the Clerks office whole again, this would be the opportunity cost to the taxpayers of Plainfield. It's the Administration's responsibility to offer a budget that meets the needs of the city. It's the councils job to modify and approve the executive budget once they receive it.
Throwing her arms up and saying her options are limited because of a lack of resources isn't a solution. Let the council figure out how to pay for services we can't afford to cut.
Whether my taxes are $13,000 or $13,250 doesn't make a difference if City Hall becomes functionally obsolescent.
To 2:19 p.m.: Didn't quite get the second sentence. Can you clarify?
ReplyDeleteDoes the City Clerk's staff still have to prepare council packets in the usual photocopy everything mode??? If so, why can't they put a packet togeather to be emailed to council members.
ReplyDeleteOh wait, then they would not be able to look through their packets a few minutes before the mettings.
Another example of how unions have not only outlived their usefulness but have caused problems!
ReplyDeleteBernice, sorry for the delay. Which sentence in particular requires clarification?
ReplyDeleteSorry, it was this sentence:
ReplyDeleteAn example would be telling the Council in order to make the Clerks office whole again, this would be the opportunity cost to the taxpayers of Plainfield.
Didn't get "opportunity cost"
Days later sorry Bernice...The definition of opportunity cost: The cost of an alternative that must be forgone in order to pursue a certain action.
ReplyDeleteRegarding my post, essentially what it would cost Plainfield taxpayers/residents if the clerks office were to go back to previous staffing levels. The opportunity cost; an increase in taxes of "X" amount or a decrease in services elsewhere.
During budget deliberations when cuts are necessary Bibi Taylors job is to provide personnel options that are quantifiable so that the Council can make informed decisions. Sometimes those decisions are what's best for the city and not the budget.