HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 25733-09-2022 ORDINANCE NO. 25733-09-2022
AN ORDINANCE ADJUSTING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS IN THE FIRE
DEPARTMENT BY ELEVEN EFFECTIVE AUGUST 27, 2022 BY
ADDING ELEVEN POSITIONS IN THE CLASSIFICATION OF
FIREFIGHTER; PROVIDING A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND
INTENT; PROVIDING THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE
CUMULATIVE OF ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES AND REPEAL
CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY
CLAUSE; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Section 143.021(a), Texas Local Government Code provides that a
municipality's governing body shall by ordinance (i) establish the classifications of fire
fighters and (ii)prescribe the number of positions in each classification; and
WHEREAS, on September 28, 2021, the City Council adopted Ordinance 25130-09-
2021, which established the Fire Department's sworn personnel staffing levels effective October
1, 2021, as follows:
Assistant Chief 3
Deputy Chief 6
Battalion Chief 27
Captain 89
Lieutenant 130
Engineer 214
Firefighter 494
TOTAL 963; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Chief requested that the City Council increase the number of
authorized positions in the existing classification of Firefighter by eleven (11) effective August
27, 2022, to accommodate the graduates of Academy Class 91 and thereafter prescribe the
number of authorized positions in the Fire Department to conform with the proposed changes as
set forth below in order to effect efficient economy of the operations of the Fire Department.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS THAT:
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SECTION 1.
Following the formal adoption of this ordinance, the following positions shall be the
only civil service positions in each classification (rank) authorized in the City of Fort Worth
Fire Department effective August 27, 2022 until modified by subsequent ordinance:
Assistant Chiefs 3
Deputy Chiefs 6
Battalion Chiefs 27
Captain 89
Lieutenant 130
Engineer 214
Firefighter 505
TOTAL 974
SECTION 2.
The "Mayor and Council Communication' memorandum, which is presented
contemporaneously with this ordinance, is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference
for further clarification and explanation of the purpose and intent of the City Council in its
adoption of this ordinance as well as the Department in its implementation.
SECTION 3.
This ordinance shall be cumulative of all provisions of previous ordinances and of the
Code of the City of Fort Worth, Texas (2015), as amended, except where the provisions of
this ordinance are in direct conflict with the provisions of prior fire staffing ordinances
for the Fire Department and such Code, in which event conflicting provisions of such
ordinances and such code provisions are hereby repealed and this ordinance shall be
controlling.
SECTION 4.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that the sections, paragraphs,
sentences, clauses and phrases of these ordinances are severable, and if any phrase,
clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by
the valid judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality
shall not affect any of the remaining phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of
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this ordinance, since the same would have been enacted by the City Council without the
incorporation in this ordinance of any such unconstitutional phrase, clause, sentence,paragraph
or section.
SECTION 5.
The classifications and numbers prescribed by this ordinance shall take effect and be in full force
and effect as of August 27,2022, and it is so ordained.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY: ATTEST:
�1�, �P71 ✓'annerfe S. Goodall
Jannette S.Goodall(Sep 16,202212:51 CDT)
Denis C.McElroy, Sr.Asst. City Attorney Jannette S. Goodall, City Secretary
ADOPTED: September 13, 2022
EFFECTIVE: August 27, 2022 St1x�
..
�0�
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City of Fort Worth,Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
DATE: 09/13/22 M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 22-0712
LOG NAME: 36TEMPORARY STAFFING OVERAGE-CLASS 91
SUBJECT
(ALL)Adopt Ordinance Temporarily Increasing the Number of Authorized Positions in the Classification of Firefighter in the Fire Department by
Eleven
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance prescribing the number of authorized sworn positions in each classification
in the Fire Department,temporarily increasing the number of authorized positions in the classification of Firefighter by eleven effective August 27,
2022,thereby increasing the total authorized civil service positions from 963 to 974 effective August 27,2022;and effective until superseded by
future ordinances.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this Mayor and Council Communication(M&C)and the attached ordinance is to temporarily increase the number of authorized
positions in the classification of Firefighter in the Fort Worth Fire Department by a total of 11 in order to have sufficient Firefighter positions for all
of the members of Fort Worth Fire Recruit Class 91 who graduated on August 26,2022 and promoted to Firefighter on August 27,2022.
There were 29 graduates in Recruit Class 91 but only 18 Firefighter vacancies at the time of graduation.To ensure all graduates were treated the
same and had consistent seniority and commissioning dates,all of the graduates were commissioned in substantial compliance with Local
Government Code Chapter 143 as of August 27,2022 in accordance with Section 143.021(b)even though the ordinance adding positions had not
been adopted as of that date.
The need to add these positions is a result of the Department's not generally carrying vacancies. In an effort to ensure that calls for service are met
with optimum response times,the Fire Department strives to keep the number of Firefighter vacancies as close to zero as reasonably possible.To
accomplish this goal,Academy classes are scheduled to correspond with projected vacancies,including retirements and promotions. Because
the necessary vacancies in the Firefighter classification were not officially available to accommodate all anticipated to graduate in Class 91,the
Department is seeking to temporarily increase the number of authorized positions in the classification of Firefighter.
On September 28,2021,the City Council adopted its most recent authorized staffing ordinance for the Fire Department,which increased the total
number of authorized positions in the classification of Firefighter by 10,prescribing the total number of authorized positions for each classification
of sworn personnel and providing for a total of 963 civil service positions(M&C 21-0771;Ordinance 25130-09-2021).
Approval of the attached ordinance would result in new temporary authorized staffing levels as follows:
Adding 11 Firefighter Positions for Class 91,effective August 27,2022.
Current Revised Temporary Future
Position Authorized Change Authorized Authorized Intended
Positions Positions Positions Authorized
Strength*
Assistant 3 3
Chief
Deputy
Chief
Battalion 27 27
Chief
Eaptainr8971
89 89
Lieutenan 130 11 1 130 11130
En sneer 14 L �I 14 14
Firefi hte 494 +11 505 11 505
OTAL 963 �+11 �974 11 963
`The"Future Intended Authorized Strength"figure is based off of Staffing levels as of the adopted FY2022 budget.
NOTE—The staffing numbers shown in this M&C are tied to the adopted Fiscal Year(FY)2022 budget. They do not reflect any staffing
adjustments associated with the FY2023 proposed budget or the recent Citygate staffing review. A separate M&C and ordinance will be brought
forward for any adjustments to authorized strength stemming from the staffing review and budget adoption.
Funding for the eleven additional positions is available under the budgeted amount for Fire Battalions in the Fire Department rollup within the
General Fund.
A Form 1295 is not required because:This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL INFORMATION!CERTIFICATION:
The Director of Finance certifies that upon approval of the above recommendation,funds are available in the current operating budget,as
previously appropriated,in the General Fund. Prior to an expenditure being incurred,the Fire Department has the responsibility to validate the
availability of funds.
Submitted for City Managers Office by: Valerie Washington 6199
Originating Business Unit Head: Jim Davis 6801
Additional Information Contact: Mark Rauscher 6803
Expedited