DPW seeks to create civil‑service chief to manage garage operations; council to vote tomorrow

The Department of Public Works presented a plan to create a new civil‑service position to manage garage operations and coordinate a large supervisory staff, saying the change would be budget neutral and improve continuity of operations.

The commissioner explained that current deputies have historically run day‑to‑day garage operations and that making the role a civil‑service position would decouple that critical operational work from two‑year elected terms. The plan would promote an internal supervisor into the new chief role rather than hire externally, and the commissioner said the position’s cost would be covered in part by water and sewer budgets because a share of the chief’s duties supports utility work.

Commissioners pressed staff on classification (a CSEA grade discrepancy was noted in the materials) and whether promoting from within complied with civil‑service rules; the commissioner said he would confirm details with civil service staff. One commissioner asked for a clear fiscal spreadsheet to show how the position will be funded from existing utility budgets; another said she was persuaded after reviewing the justification and asked that supporting math be attached to the public agenda.

Councilors agreed the proposal would be brought forward for a discussion and vote at the regular meeting the next evening; no final action was taken during the pre‑agenda meeting.