AGENDA #8

Friday, March 1, 2002
Engineering Department
Initial Budget Presentation to the Mayor and Town Council
2002-2003

I.  MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Engineering Department is to provide 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.

KEY OBJECTIVES FOR 2002-2003

          To provide timely, consistent, thorough reviews and construction supervision of both public and private development projects.

            To administer a comprehensive Stormwater Management Program which addresses community stormwater quantity and quality issues.

            To manage, operate, and maintain a computerized traffic signal system in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

            To expand and improve in-house land surveying and engineering design services necessary for developing Town improvement projects.

            To develop, coordinate, and manage a comprehensive Townwide Geographic Information System.

KEY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT SERVICES

·                    Operation and management of the computerized traffic signal system in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.  Provision of comprehensive traffic engineering services.

·                    Development and administration of the Geographic Information System (G.I.S.) and associated data-sharing network.  Provision of comprehensive G.I.S. training and services.

·                    Management and development of the Stormwater Management Program regarding water quantity and quality.  Provision of comprehensive stormwater and drainage engineering services.

·                    Provision of land surveying services including boundary, construction, and as-built surveys in addition to land records research.

·                    Provision of engineering design services and construction supervision on capital improvement projects and associated public infrastructure improvements.

·                    Provision of comprehensive and timely review of development and redevelopment proposals.

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REVENUE SUMMARY

We project total fiscal year 2002-2003 Engineering Department revenues to be approximately equal to projected 2001-2002 revenues.  We do not anticipate significant changes in either engineering permit or cemetery sales activity during the coming year, and these are our department’s primary revenue sources.

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGET SUMMARY

We think that Engineering Department operating costs will be similar in the coming year to those we are experiencing this year.  One responsibility area that could change significantly in the coming year is stormwater management.  We are investigating implementation of a stormwater utility to provide a revenue source for stormwater services beyond routine operating budget items and to comply with Federal and State mandates regarding stormwater quantity and quality controls.

We are also investigating the potential use of automated traffic enforcement technology to supplement existing resources.

Departmental programs in all major responsibility areas are providing high quality, timely services.  Additional staff resources are needed to maintain quality service levels relating to Traffic Engineering and Geographic Information System development.  These two service categories are growing rapidly and each is currently staffed with only a single person to handle both major and minor responsibilities.  Although we understand that Council authorization for staff additions is unlikely this year, we want you to be aware of our needs.

Because of the extreme budget constraints this year, all Department Heads are preparing recommended reductions for consideration by the Manager.

ADD LIST

First Priority:                 Add Traffic Engineering Technician per following detail sheet.
                                   (Pay Grade Range 29-31)

Salary and Benefits........................................................... $43,750

Furniture and Equipment...................................................     4,000

                                                                                         $47,750

Second Priority:            Add G.I.S. Specialist per following detail sheet.
                                   (Pay Grade 35)

Salary and Benefits........................................................... $55,800

Furniture and Equipment...................................................     4,000

                                                                                         $59,800