You will recall that the 2019 Amherstburg Budget created 9 new positions at Town Hall. This year's budget proposes to create 5 more.
I work in the private sector. What always strikes me is the huge difference between private sector benefits and public sector benefits. Here is a breakdown of what the five new positions would cost Amherstburg taxpayers, showing the wages and benefits for each position.
I work in the private sector. What always strikes me is the huge difference between private sector benefits and public sector benefits. Here is a breakdown of what the five new positions would cost Amherstburg taxpayers, showing the wages and benefits for each position.
As you can see, benefits constitute over 22% of the cost to the taxpayer. That's a taxpayer who probably doesn't get the same benefits. That's a mean irony.
Let's take a closer look at the proposed new positions.
Manager of Finance: Amherstburg already has a Director of Finance, and a Treasurer. However, now Town Hall is proposing to hire a Manager of Finance. In the budget recommendation, there is a warning if this position is not approved. Here it is:
Let's take a closer look at the proposed new positions.
Manager of Finance: Amherstburg already has a Director of Finance, and a Treasurer. However, now Town Hall is proposing to hire a Manager of Finance. In the budget recommendation, there is a warning if this position is not approved. Here it is:
In other words, if this position is not approved, Amherstburg Council might make "poor financial decisions." There is no indication, however, that hiring another 6-figure-income employee will fix that problem. In fact, the opposite seems to be true. Too many 6-figure-income employees seems to be the root of the problem.
Part-time Groundskeeper: In the budget recommendation, here is the risk analysis associated with not hiring another part-time Groundskeeper:
Part-time Groundskeeper: In the budget recommendation, here is the risk analysis associated with not hiring another part-time Groundskeeper:
In other words, Amherstburg should hire another Groundskeeper even though there are no Belle Vue Gardens and the Duffy's site is still undeveloped, and to help with the 'Tourism Division' which, in itself, is costing the Amherstburg taxpayers almost half a million dollars every year.
By-law Development Officer: Amherstburg already has a Clerk, a Manager of Licencing, and a Director of Legislative Services (who is a licensed lawyer). Below is the description for the new By-law Development Coordinator.
By-law Development Officer: Amherstburg already has a Clerk, a Manager of Licencing, and a Director of Legislative Services (who is a licensed lawyer). Below is the description for the new By-law Development Coordinator.
So, of course, my question is this: Who is drafting the town's by-laws now? Between the the Clerk, and the Manager of Licencing, and the Lawyer/Director of Legislative Services, is it not possible to draft by-laws? If Amherstburg hires a By-law Development Coordinator, by my calculation, the Town of Amherstburg will have a total of four people doing the job the former Clerk David Mailloux used to do. Maybe Town Hall could eliminate these four positions and hire David Mailloux back?
In summary, 9 new positions last year plus 5 new positions this year makes 14 new positions in the space of two years. Why?
In summary, 9 new positions last year plus 5 new positions this year makes 14 new positions in the space of two years. Why?