Water Utility Director details staffing shortages and compliance improvements to city council

In a recent Laredo City Council workshop, significant discussions centered around the staffing challenges and operational strategies of the Water Utility Department. With a current workforce of 379, the department faces a notable shortage, with 43 vacancies—approximately 12% of its total staff. This staffing issue has been particularly acute in frontline positions and engineering roles, which are critical for maintaining and improving the city's water infrastructure.

The director of the Water Utility Department highlighted that while efforts are underway to fill these vacancies, only 17 positions are currently in the hiring process. The hope is to reduce the number of vacancies to around 15 by the end of the year, contingent on successful recruitment efforts. The ongoing challenge of attracting qualified engineers is exacerbated by a competitive job market, leading to a reliance on private sector hiring.

Council members expressed concerns about the quality of street repairs following utility work, noting that inadequate patching has led to further issues and complaints from residents. Discussions included the potential for contracting out repair work to specialized professionals rather than relying solely on in-house crews. This approach aims to enhance the quality of repairs and reduce the frequency of follow-up work, which has been a source of frustration for both the council and the community.

The conversation also touched on the importance of quality control in repair work. Council members emphasized the need for oversight to ensure that contracted work meets city standards, thus preventing additional costs associated with redoing subpar repairs. The director acknowledged that while the utility crews are skilled in water line repairs, they may not be the best fit for street repairs, suggesting a more collaborative approach with the Public Works Department.

In addition to staffing and repair quality, the workshop addressed the department's ongoing efforts to improve compliance with state regulations and enhance water quality. The director reported positive progress in establishing a cooperative relationship with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), with the department striving to exceed compliance standards rather than merely meeting them. This includes implementing rigorous training for staff and improving monitoring processes to prevent contamination issues.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue addressing staffing shortages and enhancing operational efficiency, with the goal of providing better service to the Laredo community. As the Water Utility Department works to fill vacancies and improve repair quality, residents can expect ongoing updates on these initiatives in future council meetings.