AGENDA #1b

BUDGET WORKING PAPER

TO:                  Florentine Miller, Deputy Town Manager

FROM:            Pam Eastwood, Human Resources Director

SUBJECT:   Information on Cost Estimates for Establishing New Position of Economic Development Officer

DATE:            June 7, 2006

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to provide information on cost estimates for establishing a new position of Economic Development Officer for the Town of Chapel Hill for Fiscal Year 2006-07.

BACKGROUND

The Mayor’s Committee on Economic Development Professional has recommended the Council establish a new position to be located in the Manager’s Office to provide assistance in implementing proposed economic development goals. The Mayor’s Committee requested information on the estimated costs of establishing and maintaining this position. These cost estimates are provided below.

DISCUSSION

I have reviewed information on the classification and pay of similar positions for Economic Development professionals located in surrounding municipalities and counties and also pay information on similar jobs across the nation.  Based on these findings, I recommend that this job be classified at pay grade 44 (minimum $53,725/midpoint $64,677/maximum $80,588).

If the recommended 3 % range adjustment is approved by the Council to be effective September 26, 2006, the range after adjustment would be:  minimum $55,336/midpoint $66,617/maximum $83,005. We have used the adjusted midpoint of $66,617 for budget estimates.

A preliminary estimated total annual cost for the position for 12 months is about $96,000.  If the position started October 1, 2006, the estimated cost would be about $72,000; if the position started January 1, 2007, the estimated cost would be about $48,000.  These amounts include salary; benefits, office setup, and first year costs for a Town vehicle (please see Attachment 1 for cost detail).