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In sharing the budget challenges facing the Navajo County Public Works Department, Director John Osgood reminded the Board of Supervisors, that the department “exists to protect quality of life and ensure the safe and orderly growth of development in the unincorporated areas of Navajo County” at the April 9 meeting.
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“I know you have seen similar data from other departments,” continued Osgood. “What I am sharing illustrates the tremendous fiscal challenges the county had been facing in recent years while emphasizing the remarkable level of work the staff has produced with limited resources.”
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Osgood went on to share the significant reduction of staff since the recession in 2008. “In 2008 we had 13 positions filled with another two that did administrative work. Today we have five positions. That is a 62 percent reduction, with the work load being back nearly to the pre-recession levels.”
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Beyond the low staffing, Public Works is also facing a fleet of aging vehicles. “When we have mechanical failures on these older vehicles, they are not quick fixes and take time,” said Osgood. “When a vehicle goes down, an inspector goes down.”
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The average number of inspections done each year is 6,709, which equals to about 27 inspections per day distributed among three inspectors. “Nine inspections per person is a rigorous work load,” commented Osgood, who noted that further reduction of staff would cause a longer wait time for services, including inspections.
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Additionally, Osgood shared that he had major concerns of what future cuts in personnel would do to insurance rates, as the community assurance service office rating is not only based on the currency of the building code but also on the levels of inspectors and the certifications they have. “This could be a major impact on our residents and businesses.”
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In comparing the salaries of the building inspector and zoning inspector with other counties in Arizona, Navajo County came in last with the maximum salary for those two positions at $38,525. The planner position came in second to last at $45,794.
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Vice Chairman Jason Whiting noted that even with the cuts in place, the Public Works Department was still able to keep the services to a two to three-week completion rate. “We have cut and you are clearly managing and doing what you are supposed to do.”
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To which, Osgood commented, “We had a much more robust department in the past and yet the staff still maintains the commitment for providing the best service they can.”
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Whiting went on to say, “From my perspective I am not proud that we pay our people so little. At some point you need to be able to take care of your families.”
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