AGENDA #8

February 27, 2004

Engineering Department

Initial Budget Presentation to the Mayor and Town Council

Fiscal Year 2004-2005

I. Mission Statement

The mission of the Engineering Department is to provide the technical expertise, guidance, perspective and products necessary to create and support safe, effective, efficient and quality facilities, services and operations for the Town of Chapel Hill.

II. Brief Services Description

· Provision of comprehensive traffic engineering services, including management and operation of the computerized traffic signal system serving Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

· Provision of comprehensive stormwater management engineering services involving both water quality and water quantity issues, including facility design and construction supervision.

· Provision of comprehensive and timely review of development application materials and construction plans, including implementation of regulatory requirements established by the Town’s Land Use Management Ordinance.

· Development and administration of the Town’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and associated data base, including provision of GIS training, products and services.

· Provision of land surveying services including boundary, construction, and as-built surveys; land records research; plat preparation and review; and computer-aided drafting.

· Provision of engineering design, review and construction supervision for Town capital improvement projects and public infrastructure associated with State and/or private development projects.     

III. Departmental Revenue Estimates

REVENUE SOURCE	Actual 2002-2003 Revenues	2003-2004 Budgeted Revenues	Estimated 2003-2004 Revenues	Proposed Revenues For 2004-2005
Carrboro Traffic Charges	8,196	8,200	8,200	8,580
Carrboro Water Testing	3,600	3,600	3,600	4,200
Engineering Permits	56,057	60,000	50,000	60,000
Traffic Impact Studies	71,245	40,000	40,000	50,000
Cemetery Plot Sales	74,900	50,000	75,000	75,000
Cemetery Interment Fees	-0-	-0-	450	-0-
Software/Data/Map Sales	656	500	500	500
Revenue in lieu – Traffic Signal/Road Improv.	157,750	-0-	5,000	-0-
TOTAL	372,404	162,300	182,750	198,280

Key Budget Issues

The primary revenue sources in the Engineering Department involve construction permit fees and cemetery sales.  We anticipate a modest increase in construction permit fees during the coming year, however, this is dependent on the pace of new development in response to general economic conditions.  Revenue from cemetery plot sales is higher than expected this year, and we are projecting similar revenue in FY04-05.    

Overall, we do not expect significant changes in Engineering Department revenues for FY04-05.

IV. Departmental Base Budget Cost Estimates

CATEGORY	2003-2004 Original Budget	Requested 2004-2005 Budget
Personnel	863,945	956,425
Operations	111,620	119,119
Capital Equipment	0	0
TOTAL	975,565	1,075,544

Key Budget Issues

· FY04-05 budget request includes transfer of existing (vacant) Traffic Program Supervisor position in the Public Works Department to a new Traffic Operations Engineer position in the Engineering Department.  Transferred position costs projected for FY04-05 total $69,316.

· We anticipate that the Town Stormwater Management Engineer will successfully complete the necessary testing to receive a Professional Engineer License in FY04-05.  We have included a 5% salary increase ($3,363) to be awarded upon achievement of professional licensure.

V. Programs Going Well

· Development and utilization of Geographic Information System capabilities is increasing, particularly regarding stormwater management activities.  More departments are utilizing GIS technology in more ways each year, and we continue to provide training and assistance as necessary for expansion and development of the GIS Town wide.

· The Traffic Engineering Program continues to make good progress in: developing policy and procedure recommendations for community-wide traffic calming; upgrading existing traffic signal system software; improving traffic signal system coordination and operations; preparing for a comprehensive upgrade of the traffic signal system communication and control systems (joint Town-State project); and responding promptly and fully to increasing numbers of citizen requests for assistance regarding traffic issues.

· The Stormwater Management Program continues to make progress in: preparing and presenting information about a proposed comprehensive utility-based stormwater management program; working with State and Federal officials to update community floodplain mapping; and implementing the complex regulatory requirements associated with the Town’s Land Use Management Ordinance.      

VI. Programs That Could Be Improved

· Existing and new stormwater management initiatives, responsibilities and regulatory requirements, in combination with implementation of the LUMO regulations, are straining already limited staff resources.  Performance and oversight of routine stormwater management operations and development review responsibilities have degraded as a result.  Additional staff resources are necessary to adequately meet the demand for Engineering Department services.

· Operation and management of traffic signals, signs, and markings could be improved.  We are proposing re-arrangement of existing resources in combination with new resources in the Public Works and Engineering departments to raise the level of service provided by the Town.  (We would expect to receive increased reimbursements from the State commensurate with the increased level of service we would provide.)

VII. Proposed Additions or Reductions

· We request the addition of $45,000 in the Engineering Department FY04-05 budget for upgrading the topographic data (ground contour elevations) within the Town’s planning jurisdiction.  The current topographic coverage is from aerial photography taken in 1998 and has been found to be inaccurate.  We utilize topographic data through our Geographic Information System for planning and design purposes, stormwater runoff and drainage analyses, stream mapping and classification, and floodplain management.

· We request the addition of $80,732 (salary, benefits and equipment) in the Engineering Department FY04-05 budget for a stormwater management staff engineer position.  This position is necessary to assist existing staff with: development review activities; application and enforcement of existing regulations (LUMO, SES, etc.); implementation and supervision of new regulations and mandates (NPDES-II, HMP, etc.); approval and administration of new community floodplain mapping; stream classifications and RCD determinations; coordinating grant activities; and representing the Town on water resource protection projects and  activities ( Jordan Lake Nutrient Study, Cape Fear River Watershed Protection Initiative, Little Creek Evaluation Study, etc.).

NOTE:  This position is necessary whether or not the proposed stormwater utility is established in FY04-05.  When and if a stormwater utility is established, all costs for this position would be paid fully with utility fee revenue exclusive of the Engineering Department operating budget.