City Council considers unfreezing public works and utility technician positions

The Placerville Special City Council Meeting held on April 30, 2025, focused on staffing needs within the city’s public works and recreation departments, addressing the growing demands of regulatory compliance and community programming.

The meeting began with discussions on the need to unfreeze two positions within the recreation department. The first position aims to provide support for the permitting process related to events, highlighting the dual role of staff as both counselors and trainers for individuals unfamiliar with planning large events. The second position is intended to assist with office support and expand leisure enrichment programs currently managed by the superintendent.

Following this, the council reviewed the proposal for a new deputy public works director position. This role is designed to replace the existing superintendent position and will take on additional responsibilities due to increasing regulatory requirements from state and federal agencies concerning the city’s water and sewer systems. The current workload has become overwhelming, necessitating this elevation to better manage the tasks at hand.

The discussion then shifted to the utility service technician position. Currently, there is only one technician responsible for various water sampling and testing tasks. The need for this role has grown due to heightened regulatory demands, including the use of advanced technology for utility locating. The technician will also be responsible for maintaining hydrants, which, if neglected, could lead to costly repairs.

Additionally, a maintenance worker advancement program was proposed, allowing maintenance workers to progress to higher levels upon obtaining relevant certifications and satisfactory performance reviews. This initiative aims to enhance the skill set of the workforce while providing financial incentives for employees.

All proposed positions and programs discussed are included in the ongoing water and wastewater study, indicating a strategic approach to addressing the city’s infrastructure and community service needs. The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions, emphasizing the council's commitment to transparency and community engagement in these developments.