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Council denies $20,000 temporary‑help request for highway mowing; approves smaller transfer to convert a part‑time worker to full time
Summary
Highway Superintendent Emmett Heller requested $20,000 to fund seasonal mowing help and retain a part‑time worker; the council rejected that appropriation 3–4, but approved a $5,500 transfer from overtime to create a full‑time laborer position and returned auction revenues to the Local Road & Street fund.
Highway Superintendent Emmett Heller and Highway Engineer Jennifer Sharkey told the Steuben County Council on April 9 that roadside mowing needs and a recent Community Crossings grant (adding about 11 miles of maintenance) had increased seasonal staffing demands.
Heller asked the council to appropriate $20,000 to keep one part‑time laborer at roughly $12 per hour and hire two seasonal mowers for 16 weeks at similar rates. Council members debated the request; Jim Getz said future personnel needs should be planned into the 2020 budget, and several members voiced concern about adding recurring personnel costs mid‑year. The motion to appropriate $20,000 failed on a 3–4 vote.
Separately, Heller requested transferring $5,500 from the overtime line to the laborer line to promote a current part‑time employee to full time. That transfer was approved (vote recorded 4 ayes, 2 nays). The auditor noted a salary ordinance amendment will be required at the May meeting to make the promotion effective.
Sharkey also asked that auction revenues be returned to the Local Road & Street fund for use this year; council approved that transfer. Sharkey said she hopes to hire four mowers—one in each quadrant—eventually, and members urged improved planning for next year’s budget.
Why it matters: The denied appropriation leaves the highway department to manage increased mowing needs with reduced temporary help; the approved transfer preserves one employee’s position by moving funds internally.
What’s next: The promotion transfer requires a salary‑ordinance amendment at the May meeting; the department will revisit staffing plans for the 2020 budget.
Provenance: Topic spans SEG 006–SEG 007.
