Committee flags DNR certification gap in public works staffing; village to consult attorney

At the Jan. 19 meeting, Director of Public Works Keith Leitzinger told the Village of Bloomington Finance and Purchase Committee that another operator had declined to obtain a required DNR certification despite the certification being a condition of employment when the operator was hired three years earlier. Leitzinger said the lack of certification creates a legal compliance risk because only certified individuals can input data into DNR systems, and the village could face fines for non-compliance.

Leitzinger said he currently holds water certification and is studying for wastewater certification, but that relying on a single certified operator leaves the village vulnerable if he is unavailable. He added that other municipalities often have two certified operators to cover both water and sewer responsibilities.

The committee discussed several options (not detailed in the transcript) and decided to consult the village attorney about certification requirements for the Director of Public Works assistant before taking further action.

The committee’s decision to seek legal advice stops short of disciplinary or hiring action; the transcript records the committee’s direction to consult the attorney but does not record a decision on discipline or staffing changes.