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Arkansas City adopts pay-plan changes to split sewer distribution and collections duties
Summary
The commission approved an ordinance to revise job titles and separate sewer distribution and collections roles, effective March 8, 2025, with staff saying the change assigns clearer responsibility rather than increasing the budget.
The Arkansas City Commission on an unanimous roll-call vote adopted an ordinance to implement a revised budgeted pay plan that separates sewer distribution and collections duties, a change set to take effect March 8, 2025.
City officials said the reclassification splits a combined “maintenance” position into distinct distribution and collections roles within the Environmental Services Department so employees have clearer, single-area responsibilities while still permitting cross‑coverage in emergencies. City staff said the change is meant to reduce confusion about accountability for the sewer system and will require updated job descriptions; they said the way the proposal was presented does not change the overall budget.
Kyle (Environmental Services staff) described the operational rationale, saying the sewer system had been “overlooked” and that separating duties should help ensure one person or team is responsible for each side of the system. Commissioners asked whether the move changes department funding; staff answered that there is no net budget change as presented and that only job titles and the senior pay ordinance language will be updated. The commission also discussed forthcoming work on job descriptions and a sewer study that staff said will guide future staffing and capital work.
A roll-call vote was recorded: Commissioner Spillman — yes; Commissioner Stover — yes; Commissioner Tweedy — yes; Commissioner Warren — yes; Mayor Chad Diesen — yes. The ordinance was adopted.
City staff said they will follow the normal process for updating job descriptions and the senior pay ordinance as the new titles are implemented. The commission did not set additional conditions or funding changes at the time of the vote.
