Thousand Oaks wins award for resolving potential staffing crisis
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

After city officials found solutions for what they described as a crisis within their workforce, Thousand Oaks was honored with an excellence award for internal administration. The city received a 2007 Helen Putnam Award from the League of California Cities.

"This award was given to Thousand Oaks because their programs promote a positive workplace and improve employee morale," said Mike Egan, League of Cities' public affairs spokesperson.

The challenge, as described in the city's application for the award, was that Thousand Oaks' employee population included a large number of baby boomers approaching retirement age. That fact, combined with the high cost of housing in the area that significantly narrowed the applicant pool, caused the city to face what the application described as "a demographic crisis."

In January 2005, the city was looking at a serious shortage of experienced managers and supervisors over the next five to 10 years, according to the report.

The city sought to develop the leadership skills of existing employees and encourage local students and community groups to pursue local government careers.

Thousand Oaks Leadership Academy, a six-month program that meets for a full day once a month, was developed. The academy meets at various locations to spotlight different parts of local government and public infrastructure.

Another 12-month program matched city employees with mentors based on skills and career goals.

The city has participated in career fairs and job shadowing programs, and has made classroom and business presentations. Promotional materials are now distributed to area college and high school students outlining local government opportunities. Internships have been offered to local university and college students and an entry-level internship program for high school graduates is in place.

In addition, relationships have been established between California Lutheran University and Cal State Channel Islands, the report said.

The first Leadership Academy recognized 18 graduates in March. Interns have been working on such tasks as researching encroachments into open space, scheduling employee fitness programs and coordinating imaging of public documents. "It's an honor to be recognized by the league," said Connie Hickman, T.O. human resource director.

T.O.'s top employees are well-compensated

As of Oct. 1, the annual base salaries (rounded to the nearest thousand) of the top 20 highestpaid city employees were:

•$213,000 city manager

•$188,000 city attorney

•$181,000 assistant city manager

•$170,000 public works director

•$168,000 community and cultural services director

•$164,000 finance director •$161,000 community development director

•$152,000 library services director

•$147,000 assistant city attorney

•$147,000 human resources director

•$142,000 deputy finance director

•$138,000 assistant city attorney

•$137,000 economic development manager

•$133,000 deputy community development director/city planner

•$132,000 information technology manager

•$131,000 building official/ deputy director community development

•$130,000 permit process manager

•$130,000 planning division manager

•$128,000 deputy library service director

•$127,000 wastewater treatment plant superintendent