In a recent special workshop held at Upland City Hall, city officials confronted a pressing issue that could significantly impact the community's infrastructure and services. As the meeting unfolded, the stark reality of Upland's public works staffing—or lack thereof—came to the forefront.

City representatives revealed that Upland currently employs only 0.51 public works employees per 1,000 residents, a figure that falls dramatically short of the regional average of 1.35. This shortfall translates to a staggering deficit of approximately 67 full-time employees, more than doubling the city's current staffing levels. The implications of this gap are profound, affecting the city's ability to maintain infrastructure, support community action plans, and meet the service expectations of its residents.

The discussion highlighted comparisons with neighboring cities, particularly Redlands, which has a similar population size but boasts a significantly higher staffing level in public works. This disparity was described as a "kick in the teeth" for Upland, emphasizing the historical context where both cities were once viewed as comparable choices for new residents. The mayor pointed out that Redlands has developed amenities such as a university and a parking structure, which Upland lacks, further widening the gap in service delivery.

As the meeting progressed, officials underscored the urgency of addressing this staffing issue. They noted that even when excluding Ontario from the comparison—another city with higher staffing levels—Upland would still be 51% below the average for public works staffing among local cities. This stark reality calls for immediate action to bolster the workforce and enhance the city's infrastructure capabilities.

The workshop concluded with a clear message: without addressing the staffing shortfall, Upland risks falling further behind in service delivery and infrastructure maintenance, ultimately affecting the quality of life for its residents. As the city looks to the future, the discussions from this workshop will likely shape the path forward in addressing these critical staffing needs.