Budget committee flags public works staffing shortfalls; water repairs and certifications cited

Committee members asked staff whether an unfunded FTE in the water fund (approximately $26,000) reflected a current staffing need, and staff replied that the position is a split role shared among parks, streets and water.

Speaker 2 said the public works crew has shrunk from five full-time staff to three regular employees with three temporary hires brought in for heavy seasonal work such as weeding. Staff is assessing the right year-round crew size and whether to permanently increase seasonal staffing.

Staff also noted certification constraints: there is currently one certified water operator and one commercial driver among the crew, which limits who can perform certain water-system tasks and operate large equipment. Speaker 1 said small crews sometimes require delaying water-leak repairs because traffic control and safe operation require additional personnel. Staff said some of that work could be contracted but recognized union bargaining implications.