Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Dpw Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tenafly council weighs DPW staffing cuts amid hiring challenges
Summary
The Department of Public Works director described unfilled driver-laborer positions, recommended not funding four roles in the 2025 budget, and warned the move will stretch current crews and slow response times for potholes, mowing and recycling operations.
Michael, the boroughdirector of public works (DPW), told the council that recruitment for driver-laborer positions has been difficult and that the department regularly operates with vacancies.
Michael said the department currently has four open driver-laborer positions and recommended the 2025 budget not fund those vacancies rather than lay off existing staff. He told the council the change would not immediately reduce headcount but would mean those four positions would be unfunded in the next budget cycle; the department would continue to try to hire but would not include the payroll items in the 2025 appropriation.
Council members pressed Michael on service impacts. Michael warned that fewer funded positions will slow pavement repairs, grass cutting and recycling operations and increase overtime when staff are ill or injured. He said, "I'm not gonna be able to get to potholes as quickly," and warned that residents would notice reduced service frequency.
Councilman John urged maintaining staffing and suggested reallocating non-personnel funds or increasing starting wages to attract candidates. Michael said the collective-bargaining agreement allows hiring at higher steps (up to step 5) and the borough could increase starting pay to improve recruitment; but he also explained the candidate pool is shallow and many applicants lack experience.
David and Susan (staff members) told the council the budget choices were aimed at trimming a projected 6.7% tax increase; Michael has identified roughly $37,000 in additional operational savings. The council asked DPW and finance to meet offline to identify trade-offs and to consider targeted hiring incentives or temporary seasonal programs to fill essential tasks.
Ending: The council did not approve budget reductions at the meeting; staff were directed to continue discussions, return with specific offset options, and present potential pay-step or recruitment strategies that could preserve key services.
