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Council approves new deputy director position for Public Works to stabilize staffing and protect grants
Summary
Council approved adding a deputy director position in the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services to address high leadership turnover, preserve institutional knowledge, and protect federal and state project funding; the position is budgeted at a starting cost of $138,000.
The East Lansing City Council voted Jan. 6 to add a deputy director position to the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and to approve a budget amendment to fund the role through the remainder of FY2026.
Director Ron Lacasse described high turnover across DPW: "15 of the 17 DPW leadership positions turned over, totaling 148 years of institutional experience lost," he said, adding that multiple large projects could be jeopardized without additional leadership. Lacasse identified specific funding at risk, including a Clean Water State Revolving Fund project for approximately $44,000,000 and other state and federal grants.
Lacasse said the new deputy director would be an experienced professional engineer to support the engineering division, speed project review, and help retain federal and state funding. He estimated the beginning-scale cost of the position, including fringes, at $138,000, with an estimated $20,700 general-fund impact for the remainder of FY2026; other funds would share costs consistent with standard allocations.
Council members asked about prior uses of the position (it previously existed in combined roles) and budget timing; the city manager confirmed this is an initial stage addition not yet in the FY2027 budget process. Council approved the addition and the related budget amendment in a voice vote (moved by Whelan; second Meadows).
Next steps: staff will initiate recruitment and allocate costs to appropriate funds; council will review longer-term budget placement as part of FY2027 planning.
