(Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series that tracks the city’s expenditures which appear on the upcoming Santa Monica City Council consent agenda. Consent agenda items are routinely passed by the City Council with little or no discussion from elected officials or the public. However, many of the items have been part of public discussion in the past.) CITY HALL — The City Council tonight is expected to spend a little more than $2.7 million on items ranging from the hiring of temporary employees to pay increases for city attorneys to upgrades to the Civic Auditorium.
Contracting with temp agencies will be the most expensive item tonight, with an annual cost not expected to exceed $1 million. The City Council is expected to enter into an agreement with 12 temp agencies for one year, with the option to extend the contracts for another year. All agencies meet City Hall’s requirements, including compliance with the Living Wage ordinance, City Hall uses temp agencies to meet specific workload needs, fill temporary vacancies resulting from leaves of absence or to fill vacancies until permanent employees are hired.
Of the 21 agencies that applied for the contracts, seven were interviewed and selected to provide clerical and administrative help, and five agencies were selected to help with risk management, engineering and other technical needs.
In 2003, the city spent $1,187,420 on temp agencies, and $1,062,760 in 2004, according to a report by the director of Human Resources.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 14, 2006. Read the original PDF.