Public Works staff ask for several vehicle replacements and one janitor; commissioners ask inspections before replacing dump trucks

Public Works and Transportation presented a set of staffing and vehicle requests tied to new and upcoming facility openings and operational needs.

Director Dietrich told commissioners the county will add square footage in FY21 (Garvey Senior Center library, northern senior center and other facilities), which will increase janitorial and utility needs. Public Works requested a janitor position, a maintenance mechanic, an hourly asset coordinator and multiple vehicle replacements (including dump trucks, a bucket truck used for tree work, a vacuum/sweeper and a utility cargo van). The department also requested to assume grass‑mowing and grounds maintenance at the airport from Recreation & Parks.

Commissioners expressed concern about adding full‑time FTEs while larger reorganizations (including potential privatization of some services) remain unresolved. The board agreed to add one janitor position to support increased square footage but declined to approve the maintenance mechanic and the hourly asset coordinator at this time. On vehicles, commissioners approved funding for a single new truck to support MS4/stormwater duties and approved moving forward with a replacement pickup and the sweeper when justified, but they asked staff to obtain maintenance histories, repair costs and commercial motor vehicle inspections (level‑1 or level‑5 inspections) for the existing dump trucks and the bucket truck before approving replacements. Staff agreed to obtain inspection reports (county police or state inspection) and to return with detailed maintenance records and a replacement recommendation.

Public Works also brought forward a request to transfer mowing duties for airport grounds into their operation; commissioners approved transferring those mowing responsibilities and related incremental costs for FY21 given the added acreage tied to capital projects.