Departments warn: proposed cuts would slow permits, planning and streets work

Department heads told the St. Helens Budget Committee that proposed personnel reductions would reduce customer service and slow projects across building, planning and public works.

Building official Mike Troy said his division would be reduced to two full‑time employees — himself and a permit technician — down roughly 17% in personnel services; he warned the reductions would delay plan reviews and inspections and impair the department’s ability to respond to any near‑term development uptick. "As proposed in this year's budget, we are being reduced to two full‑time employees," Troy said.

City planner Jacob (last name not stated) said the planning budget effectively drops to 0.9 full‑time equivalent when a 10% furlough is applied, which would cut back code enforcement, grant work and proactive planning services. He said grant management and long‑range planning efforts are at risk if staffing remains constrained.

Public works manager Mohamad (on Zoom) described major upcoming projects — a sewer‑capacity project moving to bid and a 5‑million‑gallon water reservoir that will require land acquisition — and said that constrained street funds (approximately $70,000 for routine street work) leave a multi‑street paving backlog that could require at least $500,000 to address a prioritized list.

Finance staff also warned that the proposed staffing cuts and furloughs increase internal‑control exposure: with fewer employees separating cash handling, deposits and reconciliations, the city auditor has already flagged staff shortages as an area of risk.

Committee members asked for specific estimates of service delays and for revised budget materials that show the operational impacts of the proposed staffing levels. No formal decisions on these departments were made May 14; staff will return with supplemental detail.