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Cowlitz County Public Services reports building moves and seeks approval to fill two positions
Summary
Public Services reported the facilities project is about 70% complete with moves beginning next week, projected substantial completion in mid‑May, and asked the board to approve posting two already‑budgeted vacancies — an ASE mechanic and an Operator 1 at the Rhodes/Longview shop; commissioners assented.
Savannah Clement of Public Services updated the Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners on progress at a county facilities project and requested permission to fill two budgeted vacancies.
Clement said the overall project is roughly 70% complete and that a large set of moves — judges, district court clerks, records and other staff — is scheduled to begin midweek next week. She said the annex building will be vacated, allowing Noxious Weeds to move back to its former space, and that lobby ceiling and lighting work remains. "We're getting about 70% completed, and we have our large last big set of moves coming," she said.
Personnel request: Clement asked board approval to post and fill two positions that are already budgeted and vacant: a non‑ASE mechanic (part of the ASE certification ladder) and an Operator 1 position at the Rhodes/Longview shop. She said these are replacement hires, not additions to the budget, and that filling the Operator 1 post could trigger a "domino effect" if other staff shift between shops. Clement explained the mechanic series is tiered, with entry‑level, ASE and heavy‑equipment ASE steps, plus a support position for parts and inventory management. She said the mechanic who left was a mid‑level ASE.
Why it matters: Clement said being short staffed affects fleet maintenance and response times; the shop she cited typically has about eight crew members, so losing one or two workers creates a meaningful operational impact. She told commissioners she had informed the finance director of the requests and asked the board’s approval to post the positions.
Board response and next steps: Commissioners indicated no objections and signaled approval for the department to post the vacancies and proceed with recruitment. Clement said she would proceed with posting and keep the board informed of progress toward the April moves and the mid‑May substantial completion target.
