City to use contract employees to help fill short-term gaps
The city of Cape Coral will use contract employees to fill some short-term needs.
Cape Coral City Council approved a contract with C.A.P. Government, Inc., a piggyback contract with the city of Fort Lauderdale Wednesday night.
Councilmember Rachel Kaduk, who pulled the consent agenda item for discussion, said it was important to explain Resolution 160-25 to the public.
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn said rather than go out and over hire full-time employees, he has taken the approach of leaning on the private sector to fill a short-term need.
“This started after Hurricane Ian. We knew we would have a huge run-up in permits and inspections. Rather than hire hundreds of employees to fill a temporary nature, we leaned on outside service providers to fill that need,” he said.
Ilczyszyn said they are moving away from those outside service providers as the inspections and planned reviews have calmed down from Hurricane Ian. He said it is important to have a plan B in the toolbox just in case there is a severe accident, someone moves, or an unfunded mandate.
“It serves as a temporary measure to fill that gap until we can evaluate what is the workload, what is required, and do we need a full-time employee,” he said.
The contract with C.A.P. Inc., in accordance with the city of Fort Lauderdale contract, is for an estimated annual amount of $500,000.
“This contract does not require any minimum hours of usage,” he said, adding that it can sit there unutilized for the duration of the contract.
Ilczyszyn said they do have some reviewers for floodplain review.
“What is being requested from our staff for being reviewed is relatively new. We are not in a position to figure out the best staff person,” he said.
Councilmember Dr. Derrick Donnell said one of the things he and Ilczyszyn speak about is the theme of being proactive.
“It’s another tool to be proactive,” he said, adding oftentimes government waits for something to happen and then reacts. “I commend you for that.”
Mayor John Gunter agreed that the contract is definitely a great fallback, as if they do not use it, it does not cost the city anything.
“To be proactive and have this on the shelf ready to go is very important,” he said.
According to agenda documents, the Development Services Department building division currently uses C.A.P. Government Inc. to assist with building inspections and plan review requests to supplement city demand.
In September 2024, the city of Fort Lauderdale issued an invitation to bid for plan review and inspection services. That solicitation closed on Oct. 9, 2024 with responses from C.A.P. Government, Inc and Calvin Giordano & Associates, Inc and contracts were awarded to both. The initial agreement is from April 16, 2025, through May 15, 2028, with an optional two-year renewal.