As City Council is aware, the City Public Works Department has not been able to fill all of its maintenance positions since January 2018. Since July of 2018 the department has averaged 12.6 positions unfilled monthly. Currently 15 positions are open. The majority of the employees employed in this positions expressed their pay rate as the main reason for ceasing their employment with the Department. Lack of skilled personnel and completion from other Counties, Municipalities, and the private sector has created a hardship for the Department in several areas. Lack of qualified applicants, work production, level of service, and departmental standards as well as the moral of the existing staff have been the result.
Several discussions with the City Manager and the Human Resources Department has resulted in a pay rate study of the Public Works Department. This study included rate comparisons of positions from Dade City, Haines City, Leesburg, Tarpon Springs, and Zephyrhills for Streets, Stormwater, Facility Maintenance, Grounds Maintenance, Water Distribution, Sewer Collections, and Fleet Maintenance Divisions. During the review of this portion of the rate study, the Municipalities of Dade City, Tarpon Springs, and Zephyrhills consistently paid their positions at a higher rate than New Port Richey. In addition, the study included rate comparisons of positions from Pasco County and Hernando County for Water, Wastewater, and Reclaimed Water Plant personnel. This portion of the rate comparison study also identified New Port Richey pay grades at a lower rate. All of which, has contributed to the Public Works Department from being able to operate at full staff and preventing the department from reaching its maximum efficiency and operational potential.