Brookhaven board debates operator pay, training and who qualifies as an operator

The Brookhaven City Board spent a substantial portion of its meeting debating who counts as an "operator," what training or certification should be required and how pay should progress for employees who take on heavy-equipment duties.

The chair pressed for clarity on whether operators must hold formal certificates or could be approved based on demonstrated ability, saying the city requires that an employee "demonstrate the ability to load, unload ... do everything that it requires to" before being recognized as an operator. Multiple board members and staff discussed balancing training pathways with pay fairness for longtime employees.

Several board members said the city should encourage internal training and promote employees who show initiative. One member noted the practical path many take: starting at lower pay, getting trained on meters and equipment and then advancing. "I didn't know how to do a single thing when I got here," the chair said, recalling starting at $9 an hour and learning on the job.

Others warned about new hires moving quickly to $15 an hour for operating duties while veteran staff saw much smaller raises. "Don't forget about the guy that's been working for the city," the chair said, urging the board to recognize existing staff when setting pay scales.

Staff described how the city evaluates practical skills: candidates are observed operating equipment and must show competency. "We have an evaluation of them," a staff member said, adding that the ability to run machines and perform required tasks is central to promotion decisions.

The board did not adopt a new formal certification policy during the meeting; members instead discussed options for documenting training, evaluating candidates on the job and balancing pay progression to retain experienced employees. The issue was left for further follow-up and consideration as part of personnel discussions in executive session.