PISMO BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAF REPOR
Agenda Item #9.G
Meetin Date: pril 7, 2026
TITLE:
Authorization to Add Engineering Technician as a Budgeted Position; Appropriating Related Budget Adjustments
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution approving the addition of Engineering Technician as a budgeted position and appropriating related budget adjustments in Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027.
BACKGROUND:
In December 2025, the City Council directed staff to assess the feasibility of performing Construction Management services in-house rather than relying on consultants, in response to concerns about overall costs. After completing a comprehensive review, staff concluded that the complex and specialized nature of construction projects is best supported by consultant teams with established expertise and capacity. These firms provide access to experienced professionals and the resources necessary to meet the varied technical demands of Capital Projects. Although an in-house model may offer some cost savings, specialized inspections and certain technical functions would continue to require outside consultant support.
Engineering Technician
As an alternative, staff recommends reestablishing the Engineering Technician, which is an existing job classification, as a budgeted position. This role has previously proven successful and played an integral part in supporting the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. Reinstating the position would reduce the need to retain consultants for routine functions, such as processing encroachment permits. In addition, the Engineering Technician serves as a field-facing representative of the Division, responding to public inquiries, assisting with inspections for smaller construction projects, and supporting engineers with day-to-day tasks. This added capacity would support the Public Works Department in implementing the City’s 10-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and managing engineering-related workloads associated with capital infrastructure projects. Expanding staff capacity will enable the City to more effectively plan, deliver, and oversee infrastructure improvements while ensuring the long-term maintenance and reliability of public assets. This position is consistent with the adopted Public Works Assessment recommendation for an additional position to support smaller construction projects and inspection-related work activities.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt resolution (Attachment 1) approving the addition of Engineering Technician as a budgeted position and appropriating related budget adjustments in Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027.
Council Agenda 4-7-2026 9.G-1
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of adopting the subject resolution is an estimated additional cost of $13,720 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, assuming a June 1, 2026 start date, and $136,520 in FY 2027.
To support the cost of adding this position as a budgeted position, staff recommends that the Council appropriate $13,720 in FY 2026 and $136,520 in FY 2027 the General Fund Public Works Department Engineering Division in salaries, benefits, and operating and supplies expenditure accounts.
To ensure the position is supported with a reliable ongoing funding source, staff recommends utilizing revenues from the Measure F-24 Transaction Sales and Use Tax.
Measure F-24 revenues may be used for general governmental purposes, including infrastructure improvements and the staffing necessary to plan, design, and implement those improvements.
Accordingly, staff recommends that the Council appropriate transfers of $13,720 in FY 2026 and $136,520 in FY 2027 on an ongoing basis from the Transaction Sales and Use Tax Fund to the General Fund to support this addition.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
Prepared by:
Bianka Buchanan, Human Resources Officer
Submitted by:
Silas Clarke, Assistant City Manager
City Manager Approval:
Council Agenda 4-7-2026 9.G-2
RESOLUTION NO. R-2026-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH,
CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE ADDITION OF ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN AS A
BUDGETED POSITION AND APPROPRIATING RELATED BUDGET
ADJUSTMENTS IN FISCAL YEARS 2026 AND 2027
WHEREAS, in December 2025, the City Council directed staff to assess the feasibility of performing Construction Management services in-house rather than relying on consultants; and
WHEREAS, after completing a comprehensive review, staff concluded that the complex and specialized nature of construction projects is best supported by consultant teams with established expertise and capacity; and
WHEREAS, as an alternative, staff recommend reestablishing the Engineering Technician, which is an existing job classification that is currently not budgeted; as a budgeted position; and
WHEREAS, the Engineering Technician position has previously proven successful and played an integral part in supporting the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department; and
WHEREAS, reinstating the Engineering Technician position would reduce reliance on consultants for routine functions, including encroachment permit processing, while providing field support, responding to public inquiries, assisting with inspections, and supporting engineering staff; and
WHEREAS, this added capacity would support the City’s 10-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), assist with engineering workloads for capital projects, and improve infrastructure delivery, consistent with the Public Works Assessment recommendation for an additional position; and
WHEREAS, to ensure the position is supported with a reliable ongoing funding source, the position will be supported by revenues from the Measure F-24 Transaction Sales and Use Tax. Measure F-24 revenues may be used for general governmental purposes, including infrastructure improvements and the staffing necessary to plan, design, and implement those improvements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach hereby approves the addition of an Engineering Technician as a budgeted position in the General Fund Public Works Department Engineering Division.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach hereby appropriates $13,720 in FY 2026 and $136,520 in FY 2027 the General Fund Public Council Agenda 4-7-2026 9.G-3
Attachment 1
Works Department Engineering Division in salaries, benefits, and operating and supplies expenditure accounts; and appropriates transfers of $13,720 in FY 2026 and $136,520 in FY 2027 on an ongoing basis from the Transaction Sales and Use Tax Fund to the General Fund to support the Engineering Technician position.
UPON MOTION OF Council Member , seconded by Council Member , the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach this 7th day of April 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
RECUSED:
Approved: Attest:
________________________ ________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal of the City of Pismo Beach on _______________________.
________________________
Erica Inderlied, City Clerk
Council Agenda 4-7-2026 9.G-4
Attachment 1