3.0. SR 09-07-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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. . . 5) It has been suggested that we try on an experimental basis, combining the Water and Waste Water position. If this arrangement fails, we can go back to one supervisor for Water and one for Waste Water. Unfortunately the electric meter supervisor hired would not have the water utility skills necessary to supervise both electric metering and water areas. 6) The Utilities currently takes many complaint calls for both Water and Waste Water departments because we bill for both areas. Also many calls are received through the billing office to install and inspect water services and water meter remotes. If the Water! Waste Water supervisor is no longer in the business building, communication between this supervisor and business function will suffer resulting in increased customer dissatisfaction. If the Water! Waste Water supervisor does office from the Utility office, this can be a positive for customer relations but may be detrimental to the operation of the Waste Water facility. In conclusion, combining the supervisory position of Water and Waste Water or combining the two departments, does not yield any great customer or economic benefit. It will actually cost the Utilities an additional half time employee equivalent. The current organizational structure works well. Are we trying to fix something that is not broken? If change is desired, I would recommend that the City authorize the Utilities to manage and operate the Waste Water department for the following reasons. 1) This can be done simply with a motion at the City Council level. 2) The supervisory person leading the Water! Waste Water area can then have financial input and accountability. 3) This will enhance customer response from the utility billing department. 4) This will simplify the organizational structure of the City. The organizational structure is flat with approximately thirteen department heads reporting to the City Administrator. This will be one less direct report to the City Administrator, and less work for the City Council. 5) The General Manager of the Utilities is a registered Civil Engineer, also familiar with waste water facility operations. He is currently the only registered engineer employed by the City or Utilities. This will preclude the necessity of using a consultant to manage the Waste Water department, as has been suggested. 6) The Utility already does the billing and collection function. Enclosed for your information is a correspondence dated June 4, 1999 from Ron Black, Utility attorney, addressing the legalities of this issue. Due to the large amount of cross training by the existing Water Superintendent to the new supervisor, I request this issue be resolved expeditiously.