International Falls council unanimously approves posting for two city positions amid staffing shortfalls

The International Falls City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting to post two vacant municipal positions — an equipment operator in the water department and a Maintenance Worker I in the street garage — and to externally advertise if no internal candidates apply.

Mayor (speaker 1) opened the meeting at 10 a.m. and described the vacancies, saying the water position is funded by the water fund while the street position would be paid from the general property tax levy. Councilor Holden moved to post the positions; Councilor Buller seconded the motion.

Councilor Kahler questioned whether filling the openings would raise the property tax levy and suggested leaving some positions vacant as a way to limit levy increases. "I don't say we don't need to fill these positions," Kahler said, but noted the city will soon be discussing how much tax levy to place on residents.

Councilor Holden responded that the city is "down on manpower" and the positions "need to be filled," pressing the importance of maintaining basic services. The mayor reiterated the funding split for the two positions and the need for appropriate staffing "to carry out the basic functions of the community."

After the discussion the council voted. Multiple councilors said "Aye," and the mayor announced, "I'll vote yes and the motion carries unanimously." The council agreed to post the jobs in the appropriate departments and to provide an agenda update at the regular council meeting on Monday.

The posting decision follows council staff and department head discussions that identified a multi‑month vacancy in the water department and short staffing in both streets and water. The mayor said the council had met with department leaders and HR and expected to fill the positions if viable candidates apply.

Next steps: the city will post the positions, monitor internal candidates, and advertise externally if needed; the council will report options and progress at its next regular meeting.