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<br /> STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: 8/14/2025 <br /> Workshop Discussion <br /> <br />TO: City Council <br />FROM: Marty Powers, Public Works Director <br />AGENDA ITEM: Budget Increase for one Additional Public Works Staff in 2026 <br />REVIEWED BY: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br /> <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />With the rapid growth in population, infrastructure, development projects, regulations, resident inquiries <br />and requests, the water treatment plant, implementation of new technologies and software, and the need to <br />find a sustainable workload, Public Works will be requesting one additional staff member to assist the <br />management team in 2026. The Raftelis Needs Analysis Report will be presented at the Sept 2nd council <br />meeting which will share the deficiencies the public works department has in staffing levels. One <br />additional staff member, to support the management team, will help improve the quality of essential <br />services provided to the community while allowing existing management the necessary time to research <br />and complete projects and strategic goals set before them. The current workload strains management, <br />hindering the ability to deliver efficient and timely services, and respond to residents, contractors, <br />consultants and other city departments. Over the past 18 months, staff reports, email & phone responses, <br />policy updates, and leadership improvements continue to be delayed due to the current workload. <br /> <br />The management team will work on strategically planning out what the exact needs are for this position <br />prior to bringing it back to council for authorization to advertise for a position. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Should the 2026 budget include an additional staff member to support the <br />public works management team? <br /> <br />DISCUSSION: <br />Staffing adjustments are needed in both the field and in the office at Public Works to ensure service levels <br />get back on track. Two operators have been budgeted for and will be requested yet in 2025 after the PW <br />Raftelis Study is shared. The Raftelis Public Works Needs Analysis agrees and points out that staffing <br />level deficiencies in the department have not kept up with the growth of the city. The additional workload <br />of best management practices, preventative maintenance and repairs, expected service levels from residents, <br />new park amenities, increased reporting to state agencies, more documentation, increases in budgeting and <br />invoices, and the need to cover for planned and unplanned vacancies has led the department to a position <br />of less efficiency, effectiveness, and is straining staff and culture. Current management needs to divide up <br />leadership responsibilities to stay efficient.