Budget committee flags public works staffing shortfalls; water repairs and certifications cited
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Summary
Committee members raised concerns that reduced public works staffing is delaying routine maintenance and making some water repairs harder to schedule; staff said the crew has fallen from five to three regulars plus seasonal temps and noted certification constraints.
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.