City department restructuring could save city more than $1 million

The city of Grand Forks is exploring options to restructure five departments, saving the city more than $1 million, according to the Finance/Development Committee agenda packet for Monday’s meeting.

All four of the restructuring projects the city is looking at have an approximate total cost of about $694,000. The projects being considered are the restructuring of the Public Works, Information Technology and Public Information departments and merging the Planning and Urban Development departments.

City staff is recommending tonight that the Finance/Development Committee approve all four projects.

The merged Planning and Urban Development departments, which are proposed to become Community Development Services, will serve as a “one-stop shop” for developers, homeowners and businesses, according to the agenda packet.

The Public Works restructuring involves consolidating some divisions of the department and changing some positions, according to the agenda packet.

The information states that City Administrator Todd Feland, who is currently serving as interim public works director - having formerly held that position - will continue as the interim, and the public works director position will be evaluated later in the restructuring process.

For the public information project, the proposal includes hiring a communications specialist on a two-year project grant, in addition to the city’s current two communications specialists, according to the agenda.

This proposal of restructuring the departments comes as part of the city’s look at remodeling and restructuring City Hall. The city sent out a bid request for the remodel project last month.

The remodel and departments restructuring match a priority Mayor Mike Brown outlined in his State of the City address last month.

“We’re not only looking at our building for better use, but better customer service, better staff workflow and a better impression,” Brown said.

The Finance/Development Committee’s recommendation tonight will be passed on to the full City Council for final approval.