A City Council workshop on public works last week revealed the challenges by the city department, including the recruitment and training of new employees.
New public works employees are coming from occupations, such as retail, other than public works-related fields, said Public Works Director Barry Calhoun at the workshop Tuesday, Nov. 16.
Calhoun said he’s found that younger workers are more interested in the money incentives, while other workers are more focused on retirement benefits.
Calhoun said his department is working on customer service issues, like returning phone calls from Bay City residents on public works complaints.
“We’re calling customers back, just giving them an update,” he said
Despite the worker recruitment, the department is still short in public works areas, such has heavy equipment operators.
Calhoun also led a discussion on water leaks in the city and how his department responds to them.
