Video: Columbus Public Works May See Some Changes

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PW-Update

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — With major changes and political will, the Columbus Public Works Department will continue to waste thousands of dollars a year in inefficiencies, according to a review by a manager firm that’s been working with the for almost 18 months.

J5 Broaddus recommends the council freeze hiring public works, not fill the next 12 vacancies and use the savings to raise salaries for the drastically underpaid workers.

A deputy director director should be hired to act as a drill sergeant over daily operations, according to the review. Better control of everything from fuel use to daily work orders must be implemented. In April the department worked at 61 percent efficiency with twenty percent more employees than needed.

“We are going to have to make some tough decisions but I think those decisions are in the best interest not only for the citizens of Columbus so I think we should take the recommendations evaluate them and really look what we can implement immediately and what will take some time to implement,” says Councilman Kabir Karriem.

Many of these issues have been raised for years. The latest recommendations were presented to the council in executive session last week. Mayor Robert Smith declined to make a comment on camera on the issue. WCBI obtained them today through a freedom of information request.

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