The City of Soldotna will add another employee to their maintenance department following a unanimous vote in favor of the creation of the position by the Soldotna City Council at their Wednesday meeting.
Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen said during Wednesday’s meeting that the city would like to transition one of their existing long-term employees into the new “Maintenance Technician” position, which will be added to the city’s Maintenance Department.
The department is responsible for a variety of things like removing snow in the winter, repairing asphalt and putting up the city’s holiday decorations. The department also helps maintain the city’s fleet of vehicles and equipment via an auto shop on Funny River Road, where the new position will be based.
Queen said the position, which would provide administrative functions such as scheduling maintenance and expediting parts as well as providing hands-on assistance to the two mechanics who work at the shop, would be “a great addition” to the department. The position was developed with consultation from the city’s maintenance department manager and the city’s HR manager.
“I think it’ll serve our operation needs very well, help more efficiently serving both the community but also the different departments that department serves,” Queen said, adding that the shop is also able to provide maintenance and repairs to police cruisers and Parks and Recreation equipment.
According to a memo from Queen to the council, the annual fiscal impact of the position to the city, including all pay and utilities, is approximately $113,500. The memo also said that the city will not need to appropriate additional money for the position until later because there are enough funds in the personnel accounts authorized under the city’s fiscal year 2021 budget. The additional personnel expenses would be added to the city’s FY22/FY23 biennial budget, which will be considered by the council in a few months.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
