SOUTH GATE : City to Contract Some Staffers’ Time to Others

In an effort to offset the costs of complying with state and federal regulations, South Gate officials plan to contract out city staff members’ time to other municipalities.

The City Council approved a resolution last month allowing the city to contract out its planning services to other cities. Fees and the number of employees assigned to each contract will be set on a case-by-case basis, said Andy Pasmant, South Gate community development director. Pasmant oversees the city’s planning division.

South Gate planners will offer consulting on air-quality management, traffic congestion, compliance with landscape and water ordinances, and issues involving affordable housing and housing stock.

Because the state does not reimburse cities for complying with its mandates, cities must charge fees to recover these costs, City Manager Todd Argow said. South Gate will be able to keep these fees lower by farming out its staff, he added.

“It’s a win-win situation for the other jurisdiction and for us. They are getting the service for far less than it would cost to do it themselves,” Argow said.

Under the council’s resolution, planners would do contracting work at South Gate City Hall. The resolution allows for planning services to be contracted out immediately, with an option of adding other services such as code enforcement and police.