Council hears call for more public-works staff; city manager role debated

Hooper City Council members reviewed public-works staffing needs after a longtime employee announced he would leave for another city.

The departing employee, identified in discussion as Benson, told council members he planned to move to Clearfield for work in a water department. Council members said Benson and other public-works staff recommended expanding several crews and hiring for specialized roles.

Recommendations discussed in the meeting included hiring four dedicated sewer staff, two mowing crews and additional seasonal mowers, four road-maintenance personnel, and at least one maintenance mechanic to handle vehicle and equipment upkeep. "We are so far behind in our sewer maintenance because they lack the manpower to be able to take care of it," a staff perspective relayed at the meeting said. Another council member summarized a staff view that the city might need a dozen additional positions across sewer, roads and parks to operate effectively.

Council members also discussed whether to hire a city manager. The mayor said a city manager "would be great" but cautioned that near-term revenue may not support the salary and that immediate operational hires in public works might be more urgent. "From my perspective, I think there's other positions we are more critically needed as of right this minute than a city manager," the mayor said.

Council members asked staff to research budget implications and reported human-resources steps to recruit and retain public-works staff, including apprenticeship or licensing pathways to develop in-house sewer skills.

Ending: No formal hiring decisions were made at the Oct. 2 meeting; council asked staff to research costs and options for immediate operational hires and to return recommendations for the budget process.