Sugar Land Eliminates 11 Positions

Sugar Land City Council approved on Oct. 19 a budget  amendment for Fiscal Year 2011 that eliminates 11 full-time positions, a total savings of $676,450.

Sugar Land’s FY2011 Budget includes the elimination of 20 positions totaling $1.44 million from the general fund to help return the budget to structural balance by FY2012.

The FY2011 Budget includes the elimination of 20 positions totaling $1.44 million from the general fund to help return the budget to structural balance by FY2012.  This is being accomplished without layoffs of any existing staff. 

The following positions are currently vacant and were eliminated:

●          Assistant City Manager Executive Assistant (2)
●          Assistant City Manager Management Assistant I
●          Budget & Research Executive Secretary
●          Public Communications Graphics Coordinator
●          Human Resources HR Business Partner
●          Support Services Support Services Director
●          Support Services Executive Secretary
●          Permits & Inspections Building Inspector
●          Community Development Senior Secretary
●          Fire Emergency Services Senior Secretary  

“I believe that our staff at the City of Sugar Land has always demonstrated good fiscal stewardship, and they continue to do that during these difficult economic times,” said City Manager Allen Bogard.  “That’s the value that reflects our corporate culture, but it also reflects the goals that City Council has established. We have asked our employees to do more, and they have willingly accepted. We have more positions that we will be identifying for elimination as we work through our department business plans and existing vacancies. I think it’s important to realize that the vast majority of these eliminations will occur in the general fund — they’ll occur in areas funded by sales tax and property tax. ” 

In September, City Council approved the FY2011 budget that totals $282.2 million and includes $144.98 million for capital improvement projects. 

The budget includes revenues of $270.56 million. Sugar Land experienced a decline in revenues compared to budget estimates during the last year. The main impact has been in sales tax and interest income.

The current economic conditions are anticipated to continue throughout 2011. As a result, the City reduced the operating budget for FY11, including the elimination of positions that will be achieved through attrition (without layoffs), utilization of technology and reallocation of workload among existing employees. In addition, city employees will not receive any raises this year.

“I need to recognize the outstanding cooperation that our workforce is providing,” said Bogard.  “Employees will be asked to take on more work, and I have not heard a single complaint. To the contrary, what we are hearing is a very positive response from our workforce recognizing that this is the right thing to do for us to be able to adjust to a new normal which includes the lower revenue stream that we are experiencing.”