Vienna City Council talks Public Works staffing concerns
From left, City of Vienna Public Works Director Craig Metz listens to a question from Vienna City Council member Kim Williams during wage discussion for the water and sewer department at Thursday’s meeting. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
From left, consultant Bob Newell and Senta Gouty, Dean of Civic Engagement and Innovation at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, answer questions about the proposed economic impact study about Spencer’s Landing at Thursday’s Vienna City Council meeting. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
From left, City of Vienna Public Works Director Craig Metz listens to a question from Vienna City Council member Kim Williams during wage discussion for the water and sewer department at Thursday’s meeting. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
From left, consultant Bob Newell and Senta Gouty, Dean of Civic Engagement and Innovation at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, answer questions about the proposed economic impact study about Spencer’s Landing at Thursday’s Vienna City Council meeting. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)
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VIENNA -- City of Vienna Public Works Director Craig Metz discussed the department's difficulty of hiring and keeping workers due to low pay at Thursday's Vienna City Council meeting.
"I am scared for the utility board," Metz said. "We have some individuals who will be retiring before too long."
Metz said he has workers in the Water and Sewer department who have 45, 47, and 30 years of work experience.
"I don't want to lose any employees in Public Works," he said. "The rate of pay we're paying these guys, I don't see how we're going to keep them."
Metz said to be certified as a Class 1 Operator in the Water department, a worker has to have a year's work experience, take a weeklong training and pass an exam. To move up to the next level, the worker needs three years of experience, take a week's worth of training and pass an exam.
Metz compared Vienna's pay to Parkersburg for both Class 1 and 2 operators.
"A Class 1 operator for us makes $14.89 an hour, class 2 starts at $17.32 from us. Parkersburg's class 1 makes $16.74 and class 2 makes $20 an hour, the State of West Virginia starts at $23.80."
Metz said the highest classification a water worker can achieve is class five and Vienna would pay $16.51 an hour, while the state of West Virginia would start at $31.51. He compared wages to coffee chain Starbucks, stating he had read an article that the company would start at $17.50 an hour up to $24 after a year.
"Would you rather make coffee or work in a sewer? These guys break water lines, sewer lines."
Council member Kim Williams, who is also on the Utility Board, suggested doing a wage study through the Utility Board to look at the full employment package such as benefits, health, insurance, and retirement. Metz said that was a good idea, but he's having a hard time getting new employees due to the starting pay.
Also in the meeting, consultant Bob Newell and Senta Gouty, Dean of Civic Engagement and Innovation at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, returned to council to answer any questions regarding a proposed economic impact study regarding Spencer's Landing. The study would look at Wood County's demographics, major economic developments or losses in the area, tourism related employment, tourism spending patterns and other factors. The study cost $15,000 and is due to be completed by March 30, 2024.
The council voted unanimously to begin the study.
Council member Jim Leach attended by phone.
Kristen Hainkel can be reached by email at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com