Jackson County hearing brings safety, contracting questions after Parks crews' trench photos

At a public hearing before the Jackson County Public Works Committee, union representatives urged the county to limit in‑house excavation and plumbing work and to use term and supply contractors when appropriate after photos showed two Parks + Rec employees standing in a trench that union speakers called unsafe.

The testimony centered on a repair at Longview Marina that Parks + Rec officials described as a ‘‘pinhole’’ leak patched with a stainless‑steel sleeve after staff used a mini excavator to expose the pipe. Matthew Harris, business manager for Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 8, said his union’s agents found two county workers digging in wet soil with spoil piled close to the trench and asked whether the workers held OSHA cards or excavation training. "At any point in time, this could ended up being a news report of a body recovery instead of us just going out and finding something wrong," Harris said.

Why it matters: Committee members and labor leaders said the photos highlight risks for county employees and the public and raise questions about whether Parks + Rec should call term and supply contractors for certain repairs. County staff said they balance safety, response time and cost when deciding whether to perform minor repairs in‑house or contract outside firms.

County response and site details

Michelle Newman, director of Jackson County Parks + Rec, told the committee the crew first noticed bubbling water at Longview Marina, shut the line off and submitted a Dig Right locate ticket before digging.…