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Smyrna staff recommend one-year extension for Benchmark locating services as hiring stalls
Summary
Town staff told council that two budgeted locator positions remain unfilled after 102 applicants; staff proposed extending a contract with Benchmark LLC for locating (gas, water, sewer) for another year. Council members raised questions about the $475,000 contract cost, recruitment strategy and liability transfer to the vendor.
SmyrnaAt a January town-council workshop, public-works staff recommended a one-year extension of the towns contract with Benchmark LLC to provide locating services for gas, water and sewer lines after repeated unsuccessful hiring attempts.
Mike, who presented the item for public works, said the town budgeted two full-time locator positions but has been unable to fill them. "We have 2 approved positions in the budget for locators that we've had posted since August '25 that we're unable to fill at this time," he said, adding: "We keep we've had a 102 candidates and 94 have been rejected, most for lack of experience at all." (transcript). He told council Benchmark will continue locates and that, under the contract, Benchmark accepts liability for mislocates.
Council concern
Council members pressed on cost and recruitment. One council member flagged the contract value and said it appears large relative to hiring one or two employees: "$475,000 contract because we can't find somebody," and asked whether the town's position grading or salary ranges should be re-evaluated to attract applicants. Mike replied there was no escalator in the vendor's extension price and that the contractor did not increase fees for the extension.
Staff response and next steps
Staff said they will re-examine the job classification and pay range for the locator positions and will consider reposting if needed; however, they recommended the contract extension because the town cannot currently field qualified internal candidates and locating work carries regulatory liability under Tennessee law. The transcript records discussion and direction to include the item on the formal February agenda; no formal vote is recorded in the workshop transcript.
