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Facilities manager says solar array is functional; staffing trimmed and condition assessment planned
Summary
Josh McPherson, facilities manager, reported the city's recently completed solar array is up and running, that the Operations Building No. 2 roof is nearly finished, and that the division reduced two custodial positions through attrition and will pursue a facilities condition assessment to guide future budgeting.
Josh McPherson, Moses Lake's facilities manager, told the council his division completed a substantial IT remodel, finished installation and commissioning of the city's solar array (operational though not fully closed out) and expected Operations Building No. 2's roof work to wrap up the next day.
McPherson said the facilities division reduced staffing by two custodians through attrition and reorganized cleaning routes and procedures to maintain services without backfilling those positions. City staff thanked McPherson and his team for finding creative ways to maintain service levels with fewer custodians while noting minor reductions in routine office services (for example, less frequent garbage removal for some offices).
On the solar project, McPherson said the system provides real-time, 24/7 monitoring and that he can pull production reports on demand; staff did not provide automated regular reports but said they can log in and extract data. McPherson and the finance staff said the large drop in next-year capital outlay for facilities (about a 54% decrease) is mainly because the solar system outlay occurred in 2025.
The budget worksheet showed an intergovernmental line that staff identified as grant funding for the solar project. When a council member asked about a figure listed as "12,000 versus 750,000," staff replied that the larger number was the grant for the solar project.
McPherson said the division plans to commission a facility conditions assessment next year to inventory assets, support replacement and upgrade planning, and better align capital budgeting with asset condition. No formal action was taken at the workshop; staff said they would incorporate the assessment and any related capital needs into the regular budget process.
Ending notes: staff characterized the facilities changes as part of a multi-year approach to asset management and said they will continue reporting on solar production and the results of the planned facilities condition assessment.
