Agenda Item Wording:
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Approve the addition of four (4) solid waste operator positions and authorize the purchase of five (5) solid waste trucks – Authorize the City Manager to approve four (4) additional growth Solid Waste Operator positions and the purchase of five (5) residential solid waste trucks through the Sourcewell Cooperative contract from Coast Counties Peterbilt in the amount of $2,783,222.00, and appropriate $2,783,222.00 from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund for the truck purchases.
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Agenda Date: 11/16/2026
Prepared by:
Jason Serpa, Public Works Manager, jason.serpa@visalia.city, 713-4533 Nick Bartsch, Public Works Director, nick.bartsch@visalia.city, 713-4052
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to approve four (4) additional growth Solid Waste Operator positions and the purchase of five (5) residential solid waste trucks through the Sourcewell Cooperative contract from Coast Counties Peterbilt in the amount of $2,783,222.00, and appropriate $2,783,222.00 from the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund for the truck purchases.
Summary:
The Public Works Department's Solid Waste Residential Division is requesting four (4) additional growth operator positions and five (5) additional solid waste collection trucks to address continued growth in residential collection services and maintain adequate operational capacity.
Using the City's previously approved methodology for determining staffing needs, the Division currently requires approximately 34.5 drivers to complete the 132,503 residential can lifts required each week. The Division currently has 31 residential drivers, resulting in a calculated staffing need of approximately four additional operators.
The Division's request also considers the increasing frequency and duration of employee absences resulting from workplace injuries, as well as revolving vacancies and the resulting reliance on overtime to maintain service levels. Historical d...
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