Public works director warns Iron County road department is critically understaffed; seeks promotion exception

Bruce Anderson, Iron County public works director, told commissioners the Road Department is critically short-staffed and requested consideration of an exception to the county promotion policy so an acting lead can be placed into a permanent equipment-operator/lead position.

Anderson said the department’s roster should be 23 but currently shows 15 filled positions, and that 21 employees have left since 2023. "We need help at the road department. We really do," he told the commission, listing subdivisions and county roads he described as deteriorating: Bridal Path, Monarch Meadows, Cross Hollow Hills, Peak View, Thorley Subdivision, Monte Vista, Buena Vista, and a segment of SR-91 from Enoch to Summit. He said the department is struggling to keep main and dirt roads passable given current staffing and that departures have included skilled operators and an operator who took a $25-per-hour job elsewhere.

Anderson asked the commission to approve a promotion exception for Trevor Johnson, who he said has been performing lead duties. He explained county promotion policy requires six months in a previous promotion before advancement but noted that "exceptions may be granted for positions that need an immediate fill based on unforeseen circumstances and must receive prior approval of the Iron County Commission." Anderson said other internal candidates lack Trevor’s experience and that immediate action would reduce risk of further road degradation.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about training, certifications, and pay steps; Anderson outlined the pay-step progression (trainee → road worker → equipment operator/lead) and said the county’s starting pay for comparable jobs elsewhere had contributed to turnover. No formal vote on the promotion exception occurred during the portion of the transcript provided; commissioners instructed staff to continue recruitment and work with HR on pay and promotion parameters.

Anderson also said the road division is coordinating flagger and traffic-control training and is seeking to fill multiple vacant positions as recruitment proceeds. He said staff will provide further information to commissioners about candidates and costs if the commission considers a promotion exception or pay adjustments.