Trousdale County staff shortage prompts request for higher starting pay; commissioners to send proposal to budget and finance

Trousdale County's public-works supervisor told commissioners the department is several positions short and struggling to attract dependable applicants at the current starting pay, and the commission agreed to send a pay proposal to budget and finance.

During budget-season remarks, Chair asked Cliff for priorities; Cliff said his department is "4 or 5 people short" and that many applicants list desired pay of $15–16 per hour. Cliff said the department recently raised starting pay to about $13.69 but that "nobody will work for that" and that applicants who do respond often have criminal records that make them unsuitable for safety-sensitive work. He recommended a starting rate of about $15.16, and said $16 would be a "dream" for recruitment and retention.

Chair framed the issue as both a safety and fiscal concern, noting public-works staff handle hazardous waste and skilled trades: "These guys are actually risking their lives every day." Commissioners discussed matching nearby departments and the economics of hiring versus contracting out maintenance work. Committee member 4 said 16 should be the minimum starting point and moved to forward a $16 starting-salary proposal to budget and finance.

The motion was made and seconded; transcript records the motion and a request to pass it on to budget and finance but does not capture a formal roll-call tally in the meeting transcript. Next steps in the transcript: staff will present the proposal to budget and finance for consideration in the county budget process.

Cliff also described operational tradeoffs: with fewer staff, the county has paid contractors for mowing and other services; he provided sample contractor costs and said that retaining in-house staff at a higher wage could be cost-effective long-term.