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Public works operator certification gap could expose village to DNR fines, committee warned
Summary
Director of Public Works Keith Leitzinger told the committee that an operator’s refusal to obtain required DNR certification leaves the village vulnerable; committee agreed to consult the village attorney on certification requirements for an assistant position.
Keith Leitzinger, who the meeting addressed in the agenda item on the Director of Public Works position, told committee members that an operator hired three years ago has "refused to obtain the required DNR certification despite this being a condition of his employment when hired three years ago," creating a legal compliance risk if certified staff are not available.
Leitzinger said he currently holds water certification and is studying for wastewater certification, but that the village relies on certified operators to input required data into Department of Natural Resources systems. "Only certified individuals can legally input data into the DNR systems and the village could face fines for non-compliance," he said. The committee discussed several options and agreed to consult with the village attorney about certification requirements for a Director of Public Works assistant before taking further action.
The committee did not take formal disciplinary action during the meeting; it limited its decision to seeking legal guidance and making a recommendation to the full board on staffing backups.
