WM Utility combining jobs

WM Utility combining jobs

Promotions, duty consolidations look to save money while maintaining high level of service

news@theeveningtimes.com

Management at the West Memphis Utility Department is looking at implementing a little austerity in 2017, saving money by combining jobs.

The results are a slate of promotions and pay increases for some employees as they take on additional duties.

Utilities management produced a leaner budget and commissioner approved it during its December meeting and sent the spending plan on to the city for final consideration.

Managers throughout the city administration have picked up the tool of consolidating positions and applied it to flat budgeting demands. It’s nothing new.

A few years ago the parks department consolidated positions and shifted some duties to seasonal workers to drive money to the bottom line of the city budget.

The police department followed suit combining duties for two leadership ranks which netted Captains a pay increase. After being shut down for a department raise by city council in 2015 and no action on the proposed raises in 2016, Utilities managers return this time combining positions in the water and electrical departments to produce raises for a few promoted workers.

The combined positions make for increased responsibilities and a commensurate pay raise according to Assistant Manger Todd Pedersen. The proposal called for going to an eleven member water department crew to fifteen by inserting the waste water construction crew into the line-up.

“Combining crews with one foreman provides an economy of scale,” said Pedersen.

City Treasurer Frank Martin pointed out the line item.

“When you get to waste water you get down to an $18,000 difference,” said Martin. “It is a much more efficient way of doing it and not any money cost involved in the change.”

Other moves highlighted during the wage and salary portion of the budget presentation to Commissioners.

Management would fill and fund for the first time an already established position for Director of Safety and Training with a senior lineman.

“It would be better overall for the Utility,” said Martin.

Thinking about the raise demand forwarded by lineman during 2015 gave Commissioner Dana Parker pause at thought of vacating a lineman slot to fill another position. Lineman told City Council in 2014 that no raises would lead to high turnover and big challenges to back fill vacated positions.

“I thought we were short of linemen,” said Parker.

“No, we are not,” replied Pedersen.

Under the proposed budget the electric company reduces its hourly workers by one slot which moves into administration in a salaried position reducing overtime expense by at least seven hours a week.

The increases in the electrical department wage line are due to scheduled step increase according to Pedersen. One senior trimmer would be appointed to a newly created foreman position and get an increase from pay grade 16 to 20.

“It requires ten years experience,” said Pedersen.

Pedersen said the proposals added up to $110,000 in salary savings.

The overall plan reduces the Utilizes work roster from 88 to 85. Utilities employees would earn $3.7 million in 2017.

“If City Council doesn’t accept the proposal,” said Pedersen, “it will be 3.81 million. By taking those two departments and making all the changes, combining, consolidating and giving the increases actually saves $110,000.

By John Rech