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Council approves three public works reclassifications after contested debate
Summary
Council voted 4–1 to reclassify three public‑works positions, including creating a state‑mandated cross‑connection control specialist; discussion centered on budget offsets, duties already being performed and whether the changes should be phased.
The Seal Beach City Council on June 23 approved personnel reclassifications in the Public Works Department after a lengthy debate about duties, pay grades and budget offsets.
Staff presented three recommended changes: (1) reclassify a maintenance services supervisor to public works superintendent, (2) reclassify a water services supervisor to senior utility supervisor, and (3) reclassify a water operator to cross‑connection control specialist. The last position is tied to a new state requirement that a certified cross‑connection specialist be on staff or retained under contract.
Public Works Director Lee told the council the changes reflect expanded duties that have been redistributed after a vacancy and that the revised classifications and pay grades are intended to match work already being performed. Staff said the reclassifications would not increase the city’s total full‑time equivalent count and that costs were partially offset by eliminating a vacant maintenance services supervisor slot.
Council debate focused on timing and cost. One councilmember urged caution given recent rate‑increase outreach and the city’s fiscal picture; others argued incumbent employees have performed at higher levels for about two years and that reclassification is needed to recognize that work and to retain institutional knowledge. Finance and personnel details were discussed at length, including step and grade comparisons provided by staff: a newly proposed cross‑connection control specialist would be Grade 17, step 3 (staff cited step 3 at about $80,322 annually); the water operator classification was described as Grade 12 (step 1 roughly $64,832 to step 5 ~$79,804 under the current pay table).
After discussion, the council approved the reclassifications as presented by motion (4–1). One councilmember voted no, citing timing and fiscal concerns. Staff will implement the new classifications and job descriptions and update the pay schedule per the council resolution.
