PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to request City Council adoption of a resolution revising and re-titling the specification for the classification of Buyer CTC No. 0123 to Buyer I CTC No. 0123 and establishing the specification for the classification of Buyer II CTC No. 0124, as shown in the attachments.

BACKGROUND

Over the past few years most local governments have been required to cut their budgets to help out with the state�s deficit.  It does not appear that this will change in the foreseeable future. Many local governments have chosen to cut services and programs to compensate for these budgetary losses.  The City of Burbank has chosen not to cut any services and programs and, instead, has decided to tighten their belts and look even closer to how every penny is spent.  The Purchasing section has been playing a big role in helping the City cut costs and stretch every dollar as far as possible.

As the demands on the Purchasing section increase, the employees within this section are becoming more and more skilled in the purchasing arena.  It has become evident that there is more diversity in purchasing than what the City�s current organizational structure allows.  Currently this organizational structure is headed by a Purchasing Manager, followed by a Senior Buyer, and then a Buyer.  Both the Purchasing Manager and Senior Buyer positions are management positions, leaving no room for the Buyer position to grow. As skill sets increase, the department finds it necessary to create a line of progression for the Buyer position.

With this in mind, the department is proposing to create a Buyer series to reflect the different levels of responsibility within this area.  The proposed revisions to the specification for the classification of Buyer I make this an entry level training position which requires minimal education, i.e. two years of college.  The proposed specification for the classification of Buyer II creates a journey level position which requires a bachelor�s degree as well as two years of experience in the field.

ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION

The proposed revisions and re-titling for the specification for the classification of Buyer to Buyer I and proposed establishment for the specification for the classification of Buyer II allows for growth and career advancement as employees take on more responsibilities.  The proposed revisions, re-titling, and establishment will also assist the department as it needs to recruit in this highly specialized field.

These classifications will be Civil Service positions, subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and will be included in the City�s Conflict of Interest Code.  The Burbank City Employees Association (BCEA) will represent these classifications and the BCEA has been advised of the proposed revision and establishment.  The Financial Services Director concurs with this recommendation.

FISCAL IMPACT

There is no fiscal impact from the revision and re-titling of the Buyer CTC No. 0123 to Buyer I CTC No. 0123 because the salary range for this position will be maintained.  The salary range for the Buyer II will be set at $4,312 - $5,385 which is 15% above the Buyer I benchmark.  There will be no fiscal impact since this position is being established as a line of progression for the future.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the City Council adopts the proposed resolution revising and re-titling the specification for the classification of Buyer CTC No. 0123 to Buyer I CTC No. 0123 and establishing the specification for the classification of Buyer II CTC No. 0124, as shown in the attachments.

Respectfully submitted,

Judie Sarquiz

Management Services Director