HomeMy WebLinkAbout17 Proposed Reorganization of Electric Utilityenda Item #
To: Board of Directors
From: Joe Horvath
Date. July 18, 2018
Subject: Proposed Reorganization of the Electric Utility
17
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
This informational item is before the Board to discuss proposed organizational
changes that involve mid -level manager positions in the Electric Utility and a proposed
Data Analyst and Administrator position in the IT Department,
2. HISTORY
The Electric Utility has historically included Electric Operations, Electric Engineering
and Information Technology (IT) Departments in its organizational structure. Staff, due
in part to Steve Hollabaugh's upcoming retirement later this year, identified the need
to reorganize the Electric Utility. This included splitting off IT to its own department to
better serve the District and its customers.
On April 4, 2018, the Board approved a reorganization including promoting Joe
Horvath to the Electric Utility Director position and making IT its own department.
Three mid -level managers, including the two Electric Superintendents Steve Trevino
and Jim Wilson, and the Engineering Manager Sanna Schlosser, reporting to Joe
Horvath as the new Electric Utility Director. This reorganization also included
promoting Ian Fitzgerald to the Information Technology Director/Chief Information
Officer position, reporting directly to the General Manager,
3. NEW INFORMATION
The current Electric Superintendents have both discussed their tentative plans to
retire by mid -year in 2019. In an effort to prepare for this transition, staff has identified
an additional need to reorganize the mid -level management structure within the
Electric Operations Department. Currently, one Electric Superintendent manages the
two line crews and the service crew. The other Electric Superintendent manages the
electricians, meter technician, and the vehicle mechanic. Staff proposes to transform
the two Electric Superintendent positions into an Electric Operations Manager and an
Assistant Electric Operations Manager position. The Assistant Electric Operations
Manager would manage the electricians, meter technician and the vehicle mechanic.
The Electric Operations Manager would manage the two line crews, the service crew
and the Assistant Electric Operations Manaaer. The nrimary driver for this chanae is
the increased efficiencies and backup capabilities between the Electric Operations
Manager and the Assistant Manager positions with this new structure. This same mid-
level management structure has been adopted by an increasing number of public
power utilities due to its proven operational advantages.
In addition, staff has identified the need for a new Data Analyst/Administrator position
within the IT Department. The proposed Data Analyst/Administrator position would
support District operations with statistical modeling and database work for electric and
water utility operations. As proposed, some of this position's duties and responsibilities
would include:
• Developing and maintaining systems and processes to evaluate statistical data
and information for the use in staff reports and studies;
• Maintaining reports, records, log and operating data to meet District and regulatory
agency requirements; and
• Implementing, troubleshooting, and maintaining the District's data, business
intelligence, and reporting infrastructure.
This proposed position would report to Ian Fitzgerald, Information Technology Director
/ Chief Information Officer, and would be a shared resource for the Electric and Water
Utilities.
These proposed organizational changes would allow the District to continue to provide
safe, affordable, and reliable electric and water services to our customers. The next
step would be to bring back these proposed changes for further consideration by the
Board at the August 1, 2018 meeting.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this Workshop Item.
Salary costs are factored into the adopted FY18 & FY19 budgets. Sufficient funds
exist to cover the reorganization and the addition of one position in the IT Department.
5. RECOMMENDATION
Provide input and direction to staff.
Joe Horvath
Electric Utility Director
Michael D. Holley
General Manager