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Heath EDC considers hiring full‑time maintenance position as mowing costs climb
Summary
The board discussed rising mowing and maintenance costs tied to recently acquired parcels and the reserve. Staff presented a preliminary fully loaded estimate of about $70,000 a year for a full‑time maintenance employee and was asked to prepare a detailed assessment for a November decision and potential revised budget request to city council.
Board members discussed expanding maintenance capacity at the Oct. 21 meeting as the EDC’s property portfolio and mowing needs have increased.
Staff told the board the maintenance budget was raised to $33,000 for the year but that current contracted mowing costs for the newly acquired properties are high. Staff provided preliminary figures of about $3,700 for mowing one property and about $1,200 for another, and described additional reserve mowing costs previously budgeted. Staff reported a preliminary, fully weighted estimate of about $70,000 a year to fund a full‑time maintenance position that would become part of the city’s maintenance team and use city equipment; that figure was presented as an initial estimate and described on the record as "a fully weighted number."
Board members noted tradeoffs between contracting and hiring. Staff said having an in‑house employee could reduce third‑party mowing expense and provide routine attention to trash, trails and brush clearing. The board asked staff to work with public works leadership (including Randy and Brian Creed) to prepare a detailed checklist of duties, equipment needs and a financial analysis to return to the board in November. One board member volunteered to help coordinate that assessment with city staff.
Board discussion also covered timing and budgetary implications: if approved, a hiring decision may require a revised budget request to city council because the current budget does not fully cover a new full‑time position and associated expenses. Staff estimated potential net savings versus contracted mowing over a year but said precise savings would be confirmed in the requested assessment.
