Leawood public works warns of engineer shortage, uses consultants to keep projects moving

Leawoodpublic works staff told the governing body April 7 that the department is short three engineers and has been operating with limited engineering capacity for roughly 15 months, prompting the city to hire consulting firms to maintain project timelines.

Director of Public Works David Lay said the department has advertised multiple times but has received only a small number of qualified applicants at salaries the city deems appropriate. "We've been short an engineer for about 15 months," Lay said. He added the city received only two qualified applicants during recent recruitments and that consultant rates will cost "about $200 an hour" compared with the approximate $65 per hour cost when work was handled in-house.

Lay told the council projects under construction, including the Tomahawk Creek Parkway work from College to the roadway, are expected to finish on schedule, but projects in design are being delayed. He said 83rd Street and 103rd Street projects were pushed to next year after consultants were engaged. The city manager and council acknowledged the added expense and asked staff to prepare recommendations on recruitment and retention strategies.

Lay also updated the council on the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant. He said the city had received confirmation that funding remains available after an erroneous email suggested funding could be pulled; the federal office confirmed the earlier notice was sent in error and the agreement process is underway.

Council members thanked public works staff for managing a heavy workload and asked staff to return with potential solutions to recruit and retain engineers and to report on the cost impacts of consultant hiring.