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Ellis County approves public works reorganization, adds project manager role
Summary
The Ellis County Commission approved a restructuring of the Public Works department and updated job descriptions, creating a project manager role and other leadership changes; staff said the reorganization would not add headcount and would increase operating costs by up to $10,000 in a worst-case benefits scenario.
The Ellis County Commission on July 1 approved a reorganization of the county Public Works department that restructures foreman duties, creates a project manager position and updates job descriptions.
County public works staff told commissioners the change is intended to reduce span-of-control problems and improve long-term planning. “What we're currently asking one foreman to do each day is be responsible for 23 individuals or more. They cannot effectively manage that team,” a public works staff member identified in the meeting as Brandon said. The new project manager position would handle right-of-way, GIS and longer-term planning, while territory foremen and new lead roles would focus on day-to-day operations and training.
The county presented commissioners with a detailed org chart and job-description packet. Staff said the reorganization does not add full-time head count today; several existing positions are retitled or regraded and one project-manager job will be posted externally if the commission approves. The presentation described a plan to create construction and truck lead roles, separate shop supervisory responsibilities from road-and-bridge supervision, and add a noxious-weed foreman to support succession planning.
Officials discussed training and operational coverage during busy periods. Commissioners asked that staff ensure that multiple employees are trained to place Kansas One-Call locates and recommended clarifying certain job-description lines (for example, making “assist shop foreman” read “assist shop supervisor” to match the hierarchy). Staff agreed to make those edits before final posting.
Finance details presented to the commission showed a projected savings of about $30,000 this year because of staffing changes already made; staff said the total net effect of the proposed restructuring would be an increase of about $40,000 in pay and benefits under one scenario but only a $10,000 increase to the operating budget in a worst-case scenario if everyone selects the most expensive family medical plan. Staff also said the impact could be a net reduction of about $75,000 if all vacancies were filled at the lowest benefit tier.
Commissioners approved the restructuring and the attached job descriptions by a 3-0 vote. Staff said they would post the project-manager job following the vote.
The meeting packet and staff presentation said the county plans to coordinate equipment and data systems with the City of Hays where possible — for example, aligning traffic counters and GPS devices — and to pursue additional training such as the Road Scholar program and CPM (Certified Public Manager) opportunities for managers.
Commissioners and staff described next steps as editing the posted job descriptions for clarity, posting the project-manager opening and continuing to implement succession training across the division.
