Cynthia Curry, City Manager, spoke to the item giving an overview of the budget workshop/meeting schedule and expectations of the budget environment.
Mayor Pro Tem Eastman presented this draft motion for consideration: 1) Direct staff to institute across all charters a city-wide hiring freeze for all administrative positions that previously support both GRU and General Government, limiting hiring to only mission-critical positions, pending city budget discussions; 2) Direct the City Manager to bring back to the commission recommendations for consolidation, efficiency, and staff sizing for all administrative departments that previously supported both GRU and General Government with recommendations for staffing and scope for these departments with no funding or responsibilities with GRU, to be brought back for our May 2025 budget workshops.
Zeriah Folston, Equal Opportunity Director, spoke to the item as to the readiness of the Office of Equity and Inclusion to meet the budget goals set by the City Commission.
Stephen Mhere, City Auditor, spoke to the item regarding how a hiring freeze will affect his office.
Dennis Nguyen, Finance Director, spoke to the item as to what the GRU Authority is paying per charter office.
Kristen Bryant, City Clerk, spoke to the item.
Public Comment: Donald Shepherd