Average Personnel Costs are Still Rising in the City of Coral Gables

I have taken staff costs and personnel numbers from estimated budget costs and historical information from the City of Coral Gables, 2010-2011 Budget Estimate [be warned this is a large download–you can request a hard copy of the document from the Finance Department] .

Here are some of the main conclusions:

• The year 2007-2008 was the high water mark with 875 personnel in the City of Coral Gables.  The staff number for the new budget 2010-2011 is estimated at 791.  This is a decline of 9.6% in four years–hardly a dramatic decline;
• The total personnel costs declined by 6% in the same period;
• The average position cost increased by 4% ;
• Thus average personnel costs are rising because the city is reducing the lowest paid staff for the most part.

Until the average costs start falling will the city get a handle on its biggest problems–shocking employee benefits.