Where does the money go?
The majority of city revenues is spent on salaries and benefits of employees who provide the services that we expect. As of June 5, 2013, we employ 327 regular full-time and part-time employees. Let’s look at each department starting with the largest. I will point out union affiliations and non-represented (NR). TL763 is Teamsters Local No. 763.
1. Police Department – 85 employees. 4 are NR. 81 are represented by the Police Guild, United Steel Workers and TL763.
2. Fire Department – 68 employees. 4 are NR. 64 are represented by IAFF Local No. 2088 and TL763.
3. Public Works – 64 employees. 9 are NR. 55 are represented by TL763.
4. Parks and Recreation – 35 employees. 2 are NR. 33 are represented by TL763.
5. Department of Community Development – 25 employees. 4 are NR. 21 are represented by TL763.
6. Mayor’s Office (includes human services and city clerk) – 16 employees (not including the mayor). 7 are NR. 9 are represented by TL763.
7. Finance Department – 12 employees. 2 are NR. 10 are represented by TL763.
8. Court – 9 employees. 1 is NR. 8 are represented by TL763.
9. Information Technology Department – 7 employees. 2 are NR. 5 are represented by TL763.
10. Human Resources Department – 4 employees. All 4 are NR.
11. Metropolitan Park District – 2 employees. Both are represented by TL763.
12. City Council – 1 NR employee.
The largest departments are police, fire and public works. Almost half of our city employees serve in the police and fire departments. The daytime population of Tukwila averages well over 100,000 people and includes large businesses with special requirements. This accounts for the size of our public safety departments.
Unions and collective bargaining are good for everyone concerned; most of our employees have representation. Teamsters Local No. 763 represents about half of all our city employees. This union has a particularly important responsibility to work with the city during tough times. Unions traditionally have a last-in, first-out policy when layoffs are necessary. To the consternation of many, this resulted in the loss of our preschool program at the Parks and Recreation Department; this program will start again in 2014. Union members should work with their union to allow some exceptions to the last-in, first-out policy.
Correction: A reader of my School Board election column advised me that all Tukwila voters can vote for all school board positions. I appreciate the correction. The primary is Aug. 6.
