Ferndale to add two DPW laborers as city condenses lead‑service verification timeline

Ferndale — The City Council voted Nov. 10 to add two DPW laborers to support an accelerated lead service line verification program that would reduce the verification timeline from 12 years to six.

DPW Director Jamieson told council the city has replaced 2,238 lead service lines since 2021, with an estimated 3,750 remaining and 6,143 unknowns on the system. The proposed six‑year plan requires roughly double the annual verification output and relies on two cross‑trained employees performing verification work six months per year while two new laborers backfill routine DPW maintenance duties.

Jamieson said condensing the timeline increases in‑house productivity and avoids contractor escalation costs; the city estimates the condensed approach would save roughly $2.4 million under a 33% participation scenario in the self‑reporting tool. The plan includes greater outreach (QR codes on bills, targeted mailings) and a public online spreadsheet showing parcel‑level verification data.

Council asked about the impact on the general fund and how costs were allocated across sanitation, water, and street funds. Jamieson and the city manager explained that enterprise funds will cover most costs and that the general‑fund impact for 2026 is projected to be roughly half the annualized number because hiring would start in January.

The motion to hire two DPW laborers passed by roll call. Council directed staff to begin a late‑November mailing to addresses with unknown or confirmed lead service lines and to publish the online verification spreadsheet.