Public Works flags hiring shortfalls, rightsizing and reliance on grants

Clint Murphy, director of public works, and Stacy Rausch, assistant public works director and city engineer, presented the general‑fund portion of Public Works on June 29, emphasizing that most public works employees are funded from enterprise funds and that only three general‑fund cost centers were on this night’s agenda.

They said the department totals roughly 200 employees across public works functions but noted the general‑fund crews number fewer than 50. Murphy and Rausch reviewed service metrics: roughly 3,850 CityWorks work orders year‑to‑date and 12,570 calls processed so far this fiscal year. Engineering reported about 500 right‑of‑way permits (generating roughly $150,000 in revenue) and about 1,300 building permits reviewed YTD.

Murphy cited a 2020 rightsizing study that estimated the city would need about 151 staff to maintain right‑of‑way every 3 weeks; current crews number about half that. He described vacant positions across crews (asphalt, concrete, drainage) and said material costs (fuel, concrete, asphalt) have risen sharply. Murphy suggested investments in equipment — for example, a versatile “spider excavator” that could dramatically boost productivity — but noted its $560,000 price tag and said it is not in the FY27 budget.

Commissioners raised concerns about the long‑term reliance on grant funding and infrastructure surtax for projects; staff said infrastructure surtax provides about $4.7 million annually for priority projects but that the current influx of grants seen over the last decade will not continue at the same scale. Commissioners requested clearer prioritization and an RMT (road management technology) plan to allocate resurfacing and maintenance dollars cost‑effectively.