Resolution creating two new full-time Utility Worker II positions within the Public Works Department and suspending the Civil Service commission practices for hiring Utility Worker II positions.

Historically, Public Works has hired seasonal employees to assist with paving operations in the summer and snow removal operations in the winter.  It has become very difficult to recruit and hire seasonal employees.  Over the last two years, most of the planned seasonal positions have remained unfilled.  The proposed changes to staffing within the department will provide the necessary labor to accomplish the work more effectively.

The FY24 budget included over $167,000 in Road Use Tax funds for seasonal positions in Street Maintenance and Traffic.  Less than 5% of that budget was utilized last year due to unfilled positions.  Eliminating the seasonals, and instead funding two additional Utility Worker II positions, results in an estimated savings of $10,000 annually.

The salary cost for the two additional full-time positions was included in the approved FY25 Budget.

The Utility Worker II positions are classified as an AFSCME Grade 15.

On April 10, 2024, Governor Reynolds approved Senate File 2205.  This Act modified the requirement for the hiring of civil service positions.  “A city council may, by a majority vote, suspend the practices specified in subsection 2 that are generally required pursuant to this chapter for the hiring of an employee of a department governed by civil service.  A suspension shall not be in effect for more than one year, but a city council may immediately vote to implement a new suspension of the required practices upon the expiration of the prior suspension.”

During the past year, HR and Public Works have attempted to fill multiple Utility Worker II positions.  Each recruitment process includes two separate considerations by the Civil Service commission.  This lengthens the hiring process considerably.  

The same process will continue to be used for evaluating and selecting a candidate, however it is requested that the Civil Service commission practices be suspended for one year. 

Approval of this resolution.  The proposed position changes will increase staffing to match the work load within Public Works, with no change to the budget.  Suspending Civil Service practices will decrease delays in filling these key positions.