Public (re)Works

Chico may soon have an urban forest manager again … well, kind of.

The City Council voted 5-2 Tuesday (June 17) to proceed with reorganizing the Public Works Department, including filling three positions left vacant last year. The council approved the hiring of a new facilities manager and parks services coordinator, but specified the salary offered for recruitment of the latter position be lowered. As for the urban forest manager, the city authorized roughly $40,000 to contract the services with an outside organization.

Councilwoman Ann Schwab (pictured) expressed concern over the contracting out of city positions to companies outside of the area, suggesting it could lead to inferior service and hurt the local economy. The council agreed to limit the geographical radius in its search.