DPW outlines 2027 requests: mechanics, motor-equipment operators and new trucks among priorities

Cornell Hammonds, presenting the Department of Public Works budget, summarized the department's divisions and laid out 2027 staffing and equipment needs. He said the department manages building maintenance, streets, parks, a large fleet and sanitation operations across the city.

Cornell listed unfunded staffing requests including an electrician, a motor equipment operator (MEO) and a heavy motor equipment operator (HMEO), and said existing workers are frequently shifted between duties to cover gaps. "If I had to, I'm gonna say Carlos needs a guy," he said, referencing the single building-maintenance employee who handles multiple facilities.

The DPW reported operational statistics: roughly 8,930 tons of trash collected in 2025 and projected more than 9,000 tons for 2026, plus hundreds of tons of commingled recycling and newspaper cardboard. Equipment needs for 2027 included additional dump trucks, a stump grinder and a pickup for building maintenance; the presentation noted that additional staffing would be reviewed if revenue becomes available.

Councilors pressed about snow-removal overtime history and part classifications; DPW acknowledged variability in snow costs and said the city would return if it needed to appropriate more contingency funds. No formal vote was taken; the presentation moved to follow-up questions about specific line items.