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Public Works reports 27 vacant-but-funded positions; snow removal cost jumps to nearly $400,000
Summary
Public Works Director Chris Salie told aldermen the department has about 27 vacant but funded positions (roughly $1.2M in salary value), expects to fill several after the hiring freeze, and said snow removal expenses this winter ran about $400,000 versus a $30,000 budget line.
Public Works Director Chris Salie told the board that the department currently lists about 27 vacant but funded positions — a level that has fluctuated between about 19 and 27 over the past year — and that the value of those funded vacancies is roughly $1.2 million.
"We have presently about 27 positions that are vacant because I know that'll be a hot topic on this board," Salie said. He told aldermen the department will likely fill at least seven positions after the hiring freeze lifts and outlined a mix of vacancies ranging from custodial roles to truck drivers and a vacant engineering technician.
Salie and Finance Director Peter Iredici later estimated the dollar value of funded vacancies in public works at about $1,200,000. Aldermen pressed on why positions remain funded but unfilled and whether the city should permanently eliminate some funded vacancies to reduce taxpayer burden; Salie said previously eliminated positions reduced the department by more than 30 positions since 2014 and that surpluses typically return to the general fund for repurposing.
On winter operations, Salie said the budgeted snow-removal line was $30,000 but actual spending was "almost $400,000," noting the city experienced one of the most challenging winters in decades. He described other pressure points including recycling/transfer-station contract costs, sludge/wastewater expenses, and the cost of outsourced services.
Why it matters: High vacancy levels affect service delivery and generate overtime and contractor use; extraordinary snow costs can force mid-year transfers or reduce available discretionary funds. Aldermen asked for historical data on bulk pickup and spring/fall collection costs and requested more granular vacancy and vacancy-cost reporting.
