MEMORANDUM
TO: Christian Clegg, City Manager
FROM: Kristina Budak, Water Director
DATE: March 26, 2025
SUBJECT: FY 2025/26 Budget – New Positions Request and Reclassifications
The Water Department is requesting six (6) new positions and three (3) reclassifications for the FY 2025-26 Budget. Two (2) of the new positions, Civil Engineer IV and Hydrographer, were requested during the FY 2024/25 Budget process and also submitted for a FY 2024/25 Mid-year request emphasizing the need for these positions. The remaining four (4) positions have been identified as a need and are included in the Domestic Water and Sewer User Rate increase evaluation and with approval of these rate increases, these positions will be funded and should be approved to be filled in FY 2025/26. The three (3) reclassifications are associated with two staff members working outside of their current class and one position needing to be reclassed due to regulations associated with work tasks allowed to be performed.
Position: Civil Engineer IV
Type: New
Estimated Costs: $246,371.52 + $4,690.00
Funding Source: Sewer Service Plant #2 & #3
Justification:
This addition to the Water Department personnel is needed to address the engineering needs of the Water Department’s based on the complexity and amount of capital improvement projects in the short term and the long term. With the significant population growth of the City of Bakersfield, the constant changes and restrictions of state and federal regulations on the Water and Wastewater Industry, and the aging infrastructure, there is a need for an experienced Water Industry engineering manager to oversee the current workload and the significant increase in the near future due to multi- year projects. Projects include the wastewater treatment plant equipment and process replacement and improvement due to aging infrastructure. Currently the Wastewater Division is undergoing a technical evaluation and prepa ring studies on the short -term and long -term planning to upgrade/expand Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 3 (WWTP 3) and upgrade/rebuild Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2 (WWTP 2) and relevant facilities.
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FY 2024-25 Budget – Mid-year New Positions Request
The Engineering Unit within the Water Department consist s of two Civil Engineer III’s, two Civil Engineer II’s, and four environmental compliance inspectors. Currently, due to the complexities of the Water Department projects, the Assistant Water Director -Wastewater is responsible for managing contractors, consultants, and construction activities, as well as supervising engineering staff. The Assistant Director-Wastewater cannot continue to manage the daily maintenance and operations of both wastewater treatment plants and pla nt expansions, while still managing the Engineering Unit and all the Water Department CIPs. A Civil Engineer IV will provide the expertise required to manage and complete capital improvement projects, develop succession planning for employees, and provide a supervising division head for the expanding engineering unit.
The Water Department is requesting this change be effective and funded through the FY 2025/26 budget due to the evaluation of WWTP 2 and WWTP 3, and current Engineering Unit workload. Funding for this position is already in place as the Water Department requests to add the Civil Engineer IV position in lieu of two (2) Electrical Technician I positions currently within the Wastewater Division complement.
Salary $151,552.96 Benefits $94,818.56 Total $246,371.52 Computer $4,690.00
Step 1 $66.086 Step 2 $69.389 Step 3 $72.862 Step 4 $76.506 Step 5 $80.33
Position: Hydrographer
Type: New
Estimated Costs: $124,623.60 + $500.00 + $2,070.00
Funding Source: Water Resources – River & Ag Fund
Justification:
The Water Department currently has one Hydrographer within the Water Resources - Hydrographic Unit. The Hydrographic Unit is responsible for overseeing all Kern River operations, facilitating accurate water deliveries to local water district required by contractual obligations, and collecting, verifying and recording all water measurements. Within the last two years, local, state and federal regulations have become more restrictive and required the Hydrographer to devote the majority of the time to performing open -channel surveying and measurements for accurate deliveries, performing groundwater depth calculations, monitoring the department’s SCADA and telemetry system, and reporting data to comply with state regulations. In addition to these duties, the hydrographer is responsible for data analysis, record-keeping and reporting in the hydrographic office and as a result of the more extensive field duties, the time needed for office duties is not available.
The work effort of the Hydrographer has significantly expanded, and an additional hydrographer is needed to meet state and federal requirements. In addition, all water districts that receive Kern River water supplies require accurate data and reporting in a timely manner and by having two hydrographers, the Water Department can meet our local partners expectations. With two Hydrographers, the workload will be evenly distributed as the workload of the Hydrographic Unit requires both field and office responsibilities. The addition of another Water Department Page 3
FY 2024-25 Budget – Mid-year New Positions Request
Hydrographer would provide efficiency in the Unit while meeting the reporting requirements of Local, State and Federal agencies and the role and responsibilities of Central Records of the Kern River. Funding for this position will come from the River and Ag fund, of which 75% of this positions time will be reimbursed by local water districts.
Salary $76,853.92 Benefits $47,769.98 Total $124,623.60 Furniture $500.00 Computer $2,070.00
Step 1 $33.511 Step 2 $35.193 Step 3 $36.949 Step 4 $38.8 Step 5 $40.733
Position: Supervisor I to Supervisor II
Type: Reclassification – Omar Flores
Estimated Additional Costs: $7,325
Funding Source: Water Resources - River & Agriculture
Justification:
This reclassification request is based on Omar consistently exceeding expectations in his current role as Water Resources Supervisor I and assuming responsibilities that clearly align with the requirements of a Water Resources Supervisor II. Omar consistently oversees both maintenance and water operations, managing a combined team of 20 staff. He has successfully led and managed several projects; regularly prepares comprehensive reports on expenditures for both internal and external grant reporting ; interacts and collaborates with local, state and federal agencies; successfully negotiating agreements; and resolving conflicts to ensure the water resource management remains compliance. Omar has taken a lead role in recruiting, training, and development of staff and oversees contractors in the removal of aquatic weeds and rodents throughout the Kern River system and canals. His performance has consistently demonstrated a capacity for strategic planning, project management, and administrative oversight well beyon d the scope of his current position and for these reasons, Omar should be reclassed to a Supervisor II.
Salary $5,489.12 Benefits $1,836.11 Total $7,325
Step 1 $39.688 Step 2 $41.672 Step 3 $43.758 Step 4 $45.945 Step 5 $48.241
Position: Clerk Typist I to Administrative and Fiscal Services Specialist I Type: Reclassification for Evelyn Iglesias
Estimated Additional Costs: $4,701
Funding Source: Domestic Water Funds
Justification:
With the implementation of Oracle, management had to adjust Evelyn's duties of Clerk Typist to Administrative & Fiscal Services Specialist I to ensure the department can perform the work and meet the deadlines and expectations of the Finance Department . Evelyn, under direction, provides administrative support for assigned department projects and programs; prepares a variety of reports and documents in support of departmental goals; generates , processes, and maintains administrative and fiscal transactions; responsible for departments Water Department Page 4
FY 2024-25 Budget – Mid-year New Positions Request
record keeping and document control by organizing, filing and maintaining historical and current agreement, financial, planning documents; and performs related work as required.
Evelyn’s current work falls within the duties of the services specialist and that is why she should be reclassed.
Salary $3,523 Benefits $1,178.44 Total $4,701
Step 1 $20.539 Step 2 $21.567 Step 3 $22.649 Step 4 $23.778 Step 5 $24.972
Position: Assistant Wastewater Lab Technician to Wastewater Treatment Plant Lab Technician Type: Reclassification
Estimated Additional Costs: $16,871.07
Funding Source: Sewer Service Plant #2 & #3
Justification:
With new Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program ( ELAP) TNI regulations, the Assistant Wastewater Lab Technician has taken the same level of duties as the Wastewater Treatment Plant Lab Technician (Lab Tech). The new regulations require designating separate personnel to act as the Quality Control Manager and a s the T echnical Manager. The Lab Tech cannot serve as both as they cannot provide quality control measures on their own work.
Therefore, reclassifying the Assistant Wastewater Lab Technician to a Wastewater Treatment Plant Lab Technician would be benefic ial to the current lab operations and to maintain compliance with ELAP.
Salary $12,642.24 Benefits $4,228.83 Total $16,871.07
Step 1 $28.39 Step 2 $29.812 Step 3 $31.303 Step 4 $32.861 Step 5 $34.511
Positions contingent on the increase of the Domestic Water Rate and Sewer User Rate.
Position: Domestic Water Planner
Type: New
Estimated Costs: $172,802.47 + $500.00 + $2,070.00
Funding Source: Water Resources - Domestic Water Funds
Justification:
The Domestic Water Planner is required to meet the demands of State water conservation regulations that have been placed on municipalities, including the City of Bakersfield. The City is required to reduce residential water usage by 40% by 2040 and coordinate and educate all Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) business about their requirements to reduce water use within their site. The Domestic Water Planner will be responsible to oversee the City's water conservation program , which includes outreach and monitoring of residents and CII , water usage reporting, and overall compliance. The position will also take over tasks that Cal Water currently performs on behalf of the Water Department which will result in savings of approximately $100,000 annually for the Department.
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FY 2024-25 Budget – Mid-year New Positions Request
Salary $112,956.48 Benefits $59,845.99 Total $172,802.47 Furniture $500.00 Computer $2,070.00
Step 1 $49.251 Step 2 $51.714 Step 3 $54.299 Step 4 $57.014 Step 5 $59.865
Position: WWTP Operator III
Type: New (2 Openings)
Estimated Costs: $128,227.35 + $360.00 each
Funding Source: Wastewater - Sewer Enterprise Fund – Sewer Service Plant 3 Justification:
Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 3 (WWTP 3) currently has ten operators; of those ten, two operators are assigned to the night shift and two work the weekend, leaving six operators to operate the plant for most of the week. The staffing level for an activated sludge facility the size of WWTP 3 is typically 15 operators.
This shortfall in staffing numbers has begun to cause operational issues as influent flow increases year to year and equipment that was previously offline is brought online to meet the increased demand. Two additional O perator IIIs will allow for better coverage of each treatment process and move the City closer to having adequate staffing levels.
The associated cost of each additional Operator III, taken at step 3 and with the new salary approved by Council on February 26th, 2025, would be $128,257, for a total of $257,174 for two Operator IIIs. The associated cost would be funded entirely by sewer enterprise funds.
Salary $79,554.37 Benefits $48,672.98 Total $128,227.35 Uniforms $360.00
Step 1 $34.665 Step 2 $36.398 Step 3 $38.218 Step 4 $40.129 Step 5 $42.136
Position: Wastewater Plant Mechanic
Type: New
Estimated Costs: $120,071.00 + $360.00
Funding Source: Wastewater - Sewer Enterprise Fund - Sewer Service Plant #2 & #3 Justification:
Wastewater equipment, when it is properly maintained per manufacturer’s specifications, has a useful life of 15 -20 years. At Plant 2, a majority of the equipment has been in service since 1997, and at Plant 3, the newer equipment has been in service for over 14 years. The addition of a wastewater plant mechanic at this time will assist in efforts to address the increasing need for repair and maintenance on aging equipment.
Also, similarly with the requested operator positions, as the influent flow increases and equipment that was previously offline is brought online, the total pieces of equipment needing Water Department Page 6
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to be maintained has increased.
Salary $73,442.76 Benefits $46,628.65 Total $120,071.00 Uniforms $360.00
Step 1 $32.028 Step 2 $33.629 Step 3 $35.311 Step 4 $37.076 Step 5 $38.93