The reorganization of the Department of Public Works into six separate, specialized departments becomes effective on Thursday of next week, but a few hurdles first must be cleared before the change can be implemented.
Because city-parish officials haven’t yet finalized how to split up the existing DPW budget nor hired directors to lead the six new departments, Mayor Kip Holden’s administration is asking the Metro Council to approve measures legally needed to keep the department running during the transition.
One measure on the council agenda would allow DPW to keep spending money on operations and salary. Another would allow DPW Interim Director Bryan Harmon to continue making decisions for all six of the newly created DPW departments until directors for each are hired. Potentially complicating matters, however, is that Harmon already has announced his plans to retire this year.
“Bryan is a team player,” Chief Administrative Officer William Daniel says. “He’s agreed to stay as long as we’re making steady progress.”
Daniel says the mayor’s office will work to finalize the DPW budget language in the next 60 days, adding it will take as long as necessary to find the right people to serve as directors for the six new departments.
Though the administration has been working on the reorganization for years, Daniel says the specifics on the budget and department directors are only being addressed now because “we didn’t want to spend time and money with the transition until we knew it would pass.” Voters approved the reorganization in early December.
The DPW-related items are up for introduction on Wednesday, meaning the Metro Council won’t vote on them until its regular meeting on Jan. 28. Other items up for introduction this week include a measure to extend attorney Mary Olive Pierson’s contract to represent the city-parish in legal action regarding the incorporation of the proposed city of St. George. The extension calls for a contract with Pierson not to exceed $40,000. The council’s original contract with her was for $50,000.
The council will take a vote Wednesday on Holden’s proposed $335 million bond issue for various capital projects, which would be financed via a ¼-cent sales tax increase and 0.5 mill property tax increase. With council approval, the bond issue would appear on the May 2 ballot for voter consideration.
Holden’s bond issue seeks property tax increase on top of sales tax hike
A vote also will be taken on a proposed 2-mill property tax increase for those who live within the St. George Fire District, which is seeking the additional money for capital improvements. That tax increase would also appear on the May 2 ballot if approved by the Metro Council. The council will convene at 4 p.m. on the third floor of City Hall, 222 St. Louis St. See the full agenda. —Kelly Connelly
