District 4 Supervisor Bricklee Miller called for a top-down study for the Oktibbeha County Road Department Monday after supervisors named County Administrator Emily Garrard as its interim leader and reduced its two grubbing and construction crews’ upcoming summer work hours.
Garrard takes over for former Road Manager Victor Collins, who concluded a 30-year career with the county by retiring at the end of March.
The reduction in hours — a drop from 10-hour to eight-hour days — will affect about 15 workers, Garrard said, but those crews have not yet transitioned into the summer construction season’s extended schedule.
While District 2 Supervisor Orlando Trainer said the reduction will help the county save money, Miller said the move fits with other changes the board is expected to take as it reassesses the department.
Some of those changes and expectations could have been discussed behind closed doors with road department personnel for almost two hours last month when Collins submitted his letter of retirement. Following the meeting, Trainer said the board and county employees “exchanged ideas” in regard to the department and the upcoming leadership transition.
“Emily has their attention and respect. I do believe that everyone is on the same page (following March’s executive session with road workers),” Miller said. “It’s time for a top-down study, and this is a great opportunity to restructure how our road department is set up. It’s time to assess how many workers we have in each position, what those jobs entail and how much those roles earn.”
In 2015, the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development released a study on the department’s personnel situation and suggested workers’ salary ranges and job descriptions. The board accepted the study at the time but did not take any formal actions based on those recommendations.
That document could guide supervisors in the future, Miller said, as the board may move to clearly define each road department’s job specifics and salaries, and how workers can move up the ladder and earn raises.
The road department employs about 40 workers, Garrard said.
The board also approved motions assigning Robert Howell the role of the road department’s primary parts purchaser and requiring foremen to digitize and submit weekly work progress reports to the board.
The county will also seek quotes for placing GPS devices inside of road department vehicles, thereby allowing officials to track their locations as they’re sent out on assignment.
Progress on finding new road manager
Garrard said three people have applied for the road manager’s position as of Monday. Advertisements for the job will continue to run through Wednesday, she said.
Supervisors could develop a shortlist of finalists at their April 17 meeting and schedule interviews with finalists.
A hire, Trainer said, could follow in May.
The road manager’s job entails assisting the county administrator in developing the department’s budget and overseeing all road construction and repair efforts in Oktibbeha County.
Miller said she sees the new hire serving as more of a manager, as Collins, who began his career in the department as an equipment operator, often worked in hands-on roles at construction sites.
Foremen, she said, could serve in those technical work roles, allowing the incoming road manager to focus primarily on “the big-picture operations.”
“Victor did a lot for us, but we see the need for an overseer moving forward because it’s hard for that person to be in so many places at one time. It’s important to have that kind of knowledge, but it’s also important to put eyes on reports and see the day-to-day operations as a whole,” Miller said. “Our roadways are Oktibbeha County residents’ main priority. People are truly interested in the shape of their roads and what the road department is doing. I’m looking forward to getting started on the interviewing process and encourage those interested for the road manager’s job to apply.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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