WORKING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

Personnel costs make up the largest expense of local government

departments in West Chester make up more than 80% of these department’s expenses annually. Considering these operations have to be effective 24/7, 365 days per year, this is an expected outcome. Personnel costs come from the voter-approved levies for each department. Assigning a major share of West Chester’s CARES Act funding to this expense in 2020 provided some relief to this taxpayer expense.

As with most service industries, personnel costs make up the largest expenditure of your local government. Police, fire & EMS, 911 dispatchers, roads and general government services require people to perform the day-to-day operations and provide the services residents demand.

During the past 10 years, West Chester’s full-time equivalent employee population (as reported in the Township’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, CAFR) has gone from 287.5 in 2011 to 264 in 2020. The CAFR reports the total number of full-time equivalents on the last payroll of the year with seasonal and part-time employees counted as .5.

Operational budget considers positions rather than people. Some positions may be vacant, but they are budgeted with the assumption that they will be filled at some point during the year.

The Township anticipates authorizing a total of 332 positions as part of the 2022 Operational Budget. This is three more fulltime positions than were budgeted in 2021 and one additional seasonal position.

“Our employees are our most valuable resource in bringing innovation to our operations and providing exceptional service to the community,” said Township Administrator Larry Burks. “Investing in the Township’s workforce is a key component to our success as a community.”

There are five collective bargaining units representing West Chester Township employees and a smaller number of management and non-contract personnel not represented by contract. In 2021.

In the first two decades of the 2000s, West Chester Township leaders set out to “right-size” the organization consolidating departments and adjusting staffing levels through attrition. Since 2020, employee numbers and wage ranges have again been analyzed to build a workforce up to the challenge of exceeding community expectations. In 2021 the Board of Trustees made an investment in addressing wage ranges for non-contract employees to encourage innovation, retention and attraction to these positions.

“Our goal is not to grow government, but to think strategically about the deployment of our Township personnel resources and be an employer that encourages and awards exceptional service,” said Mr. Burks.

While personnel costs make up the largest expenditure in the operational budget, the percentage remains fairly consistent from year to year when looking at revenue. Since 2005, personnel costs overall are 60% to 70% in comparison to revenue collected. In 2020, personnel costs were approximately 57.5% of revenue collected.

The costs associated with personnel in the Fire and Police

In 2022, the Police Department will budget for 102.5 positions. Among these are 86 sworn officers, plus two captains, one assistant chief and one chief. The remainder are civilian administrative personnel.

In 2022, the Fire Department will propose increasing its workforce to 129, adding three lieutenant positions. The effect of this change is expected to be reduced overtime expenses

Learn more about West Chester’s employee demographics by visiting DIG (Data Informed Government).

Learn More About Where Your Money Goes

Track Township employee demographics, finances, police reports, fire reports and more by vising www.westchesteroh.org

Internships & Seasonal Jobs

West Chester welcomes the opportunity to encourage interest in public sector positions through available internships and seasonal positions. These positions offer an inside look at a variety of public sector jobs.

Positions in administration, planning & zoning, community services, parks and public engagement/events are available periodically and postings can be found on West Chester’s job site. Scan the QR code for available positions.