During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the staffing challenges faced by the sanitation department, revealing a reduction in employees from 26 last year to 23 this year. This decrease was attributed to ongoing difficulties in hiring for specific positions, particularly driver roles and maintenance workers.

The department's director highlighted that despite competitive benefits, the municipality struggles to attract candidates, especially for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) positions and heavy equipment operator roles. Comparisons with other municipalities indicated that starting salaries may be lower, contributing to recruitment challenges.

Additionally, the meeting noted that increased automation within the department has influenced staffing needs, allowing for a more efficient allocation of drivers per truck on certain routes. This shift towards automation is seen as a factor in the overall reduction of personnel.

Officials acknowledged the importance of addressing these staffing issues to maintain satisfactory service levels, emphasizing the need for ongoing evaluation of wages and hiring practices to remain competitive in the labor market.