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Council reviews Public Works plan to bring lot mowing, janitorial and right‑of‑way work in‑house; staff cites net savings and increased capacity
Summary
Public Works requested new positions to move lot mowing, janitorial and right‑of‑way work from contractors to in‑house crews. Staff estimated a net savings (about $200,000 in the first year) and said in‑house crews could complete roughly 40 more locations per year than the contracted program.
Public Works staff described a proposal to bring several maintenance functions in‑house at the May 20 budget workshop, including right‑of‑way work, certain sidewalk restoration and janitorial services for city facilities. Ron Evers, speaking for Public Works, explained existing contracts and described how shifting work to city crews would free contractor costs and increase productivity.
Kristen, the finance director, summarized the financial case: hiring right‑of‑way staff and moving janitorial in‑house would reduce the city’s contracted lot mowing transfer from $300,000 to a net $100,000 operating increase in FY26, producing an estimated net savings of about $200,000 annually when accounting for increased operating costs and interfund charges. Staff said the right‑of‑way crew would be able to perform about 40 more locations per year than the contracted program.
The packet described equipment needs: a one‑time $13,000 concrete mixer and trailer and short‑term use of older city vehicles rather than new fleet purchases. Staff also proposed converting an unfilled maintenance worker position to a janitorial role to create three janitorial staff for city facilities and Harrow Court, which staff said would reduce outside janitorial contract costs.
Council members asked for specifics about service levels and budget line transfers. Ron Evers said the work the right‑of‑way crew would perform overlaps with utility restoration work and that the utilities department would reimburse the general fund an estimated $80,000 for supporting restoration work.
What’s next: council will consider the staffing changes as part of the FY26 budget process; staff confirmed the proposal would be re‑evaluated in later years and that some positions were temporary depending on FEMA reimbursements.
