The Columbus City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a request from Public Works Director Mike Pratt for approval to hire six new employees, who will be used for general labor and grass-cutting. Pratt said the additional employees will boost his roster to 73 employees, with an additional five to be hired later.
“I needed these additional employees to supplement our grass-cutting crews,” Pratt said Wednesday. “We are just trying to keep up with the grass-cutting. We cut grass for 40 hours a week for nine months out of the year.”
The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining grass in all six of the city’s wards as well on the city’s right of ways, entrances and other areas, Pratt said. The new hires are created positions. Those hired to fill the slots will be brought on as full-time employees.
The salaries for the new employees, without benefits, will cost the city approximately $120,000.
“The base salary is about $20,000,” Chief Financial Officer Mike Bernsen said. “This does not include insurance, which will cost the city about 35 percent of the base salary, depending on the insurance coverage.”
Approving the new hires means the city will now have to adjust its budget.
“The good things is that we will only have to adjust the budget for a couple of months,” Bernsen said. “Pratt also received approval to purchase six new weed-eaters and zero-turn mower which will cost about $12,750. We are going to have to amend the budget $39,924 for the next two months. This will cover the salaries and the new equipment.”
Human Resources Director Pat Mitchell said the jobs will be advertised internally through received applications.
“We always have applications to sort through,” Mitchell said. “We have a large amount on file.”
Persons interested in applying for the jobs may do so in person through Mitchell’s office at City Hall.
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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