HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0002) IR 21-10674 - Council Aides (District Directors) - Pensions and Benefit EligibleINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10674
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 28, 2021
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SUBJECT: COUNCIL AIDES (DISTRICT DIRECTORS) - PENSION & BENEFIT
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In response to a recent City Council request, this report provides information on transitioning the Council Aides
(District Directors) to pension -eligible positions with the City of Fort Worth. Below is a summary of the proposed
change, clarification on their respective employment status, an estimated budgetary impact, as well as other
considerations.
Pension and Benefit Participation
In alignment with the City Manager's proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget, effective October 9, 2021, Council Aide
budgeted positions are proposed to become regular positions eligible for benefits and full City contributions for
benefit premiums, where applicable. This includes mandatory participation in the City pension plan, eligible
participation in the City's healthcare (medical and pharmacy), dental, life insurance and other benefit elections
offered to regular full-time employees.
This option will not be extended to individuals that are employed part-time, in the same classification, which are
those employees who work 19 hours or fewer per workweek.
Full-time Council Aides will also be eligible for leave accruals, to include sick, vacation, compensatory time or other
leave benefits extended to regular exempt full-time employees. This will require time sheet reporting using the City's
system of record, and consistent with the City's Personnel Rules and Regulations to properly account for hours
worked, accrued, and used, and the administration of leave benefits.
Employment Status
While the Council Aides will be extended pension and additional benefits, this in no way affects their unique 'at -will'
employment status and the Council Aides will remain the personal staff of the Elected Officials (Mayor and Council
Members). The Elected Officials will continue to be responsible for hiring, supervising, disciplining, and terminating
their respective Council Aides. Their respective employment duration is dependent on the term of the Elected Official
and during the Elected Official's term, the Council Aide is employed at -will and may be terminated at any time with
or without notice or with or without cause. Council Aides remain ineligible to use the City's disciplinary appeal
process.
When the Elected Official leaves office, for whatever reason, the Council Aide's employment will cease at the same
time unless the successor Elected Official chooses to retain the Council Aide, or the individual applies and is selected
for a different position with the City, through the City's applicable hiring process.
Council Aides remain subject to, and must comply with, the City's Personnel Rules and Regulations for General
Employees, and applicable Administrative Regulations.
Each Elected Official will continue to monitor and establish the Council Aide's schedule, work hours, performance,
responsibilities, and approve requests for time off. Due to the demands of the Elected Officials' schedules, the day-
to-day oversight may be delegated to the Chief of Staff; however, all supervisory responsibilities including hiring and
termination decisions for a Council Aide, are solely those of the Elected Official.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10674
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council September 28, 2021
Page 2of2
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- SUBJECT: COUNCIL AIDES (DISTRICT DIRECTORS) — PENSION & BENEFIT
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It should be noted that Council Aides may perform political activities on a voluntary basis or be paid personally by the
Elected Official for any personal time spent on political activities, however, they are not allowed to perform any
political activities while they are working on City time.
Other Considerations
It should be noted, if approved, all positions must be affected similarly by the changes herein for future hires and
current incumbents will be reviewed.
For any questions, please contact Dianna Giordano, Human Resources Director, at 817-392-7783.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS