Plant superintendent details vacancies; owners trim salary pool in budget hearing

The new superintendent at the Binghamton–Johnson City wastewater treatment plant told owners on Sept. 11 that the plant is operating with multiple unfilled positions and continuous movement among operator classifications, and owners responded by reducing personnel budget lines during the 2026 budget vote.

"We had 3 positions moved with Elliot leaving, and their salaries, were brought in at a lower rate," Superintendent Ron Warwick told the joint board while explaining a drop in the salaried personal‑services projection. He reported current staffing at about 38 filled of 46 positions and described the open roles: two mechanic assistants, one instrumentation technician (open more than a year, possibly 2–3 years), two operations trainees, and one safety coordinator among salaried slots.

Plant business manager Billy explained the budget practice: vacancies are kept in the staffing table but are sometimes funded at partial-year levels to reflect expected hiring timing. Board members pressed for more conservative budgeting when positions remain open year after year. In floor debate the owners reduced the hourly salary-adjustment pool from $85,000 to $50,000 and cut overtime from $55,000 to $50,000.

Owners emphasized that the personnel reductions should not remove the ability to hire when needed. One owner asked the superintendent to provide clearer timelines for filling long‑open positions, especially the instrumentation technician role, which staff said has been open ‘‘over a year’’ and in some comments ‘‘2 to 3 years.’’ The meeting transcript shows owners asked that fringe and benefit lines remain until final staffing adjustments are confirmed so funds are available in-year if positions are filled.

The board’s final roll calls reflect those line-item changes as part of the amended 2026 budget adopted 9-0.