In a recent government meeting, officials highlighted the pressing challenges faced by the engineering department, which currently operates with only six engineers to serve the entire island. This limited workforce is struggling to keep pace with the demands of ongoing projects, particularly as Department of Defense (DOD) initiatives are expected to extend over the next five to six years.

The discussion underscored the competitive landscape for engineering talent, with concerns that the agency's recruitment efforts may not be sufficient to attract qualified candidates away from private firms and other government entities. Officials acknowledged the aging workforce within the department, noting that several engineers are nearing retirement, which could exacerbate the staffing crisis.

To address the backlog in permit reviews, officials proposed exploring the possibility of training Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) personnel to handle certain tasks that do not require an engineer's expertise. This initiative aims to alleviate some of the workload from the engineering team, particularly for simpler projects that involve basic compliance checks rather than complex engineering calculations.

While the idea is still in its early stages, officials expressed optimism that it could provide a viable solution to improve efficiency in the review process. The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit staffing strategies and explore additional support for the engineering department as they navigate these challenges.