DAPHNE, Ala.—Public Works director Richard Johnson said the grounds department has had 10 employees on the payroll since he came to work for the city a year ago, but he has never seen a day when the whole department was out in force.

“Right now, we have two resignations. I have sent to the mayor in the last six days a request of separation for another employee …” Johnson said.

As the result of employees on extended paid medical leave, resignations, and an anticipated termination due to violations of the employee handbook, Johnson said the department will only have five men working on any given day, including the supervisor.

Johnson said the diminished workforce has begun to affect the department’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities, even requiring canceling work that was promised months in advance.

“I realize strong feelings we have here but we have already seen commitments that we made months ago in grounds that we cannot fulfill today,” Johnson said.

The council voted 6-1 in favor of filling one vacant position to bring the department’s manpower up to 60 percent.

Johnson said the loss of employees has “crippled the department’s ability to handle the needs of the city.”

Council President Cathy Barnette questioned whether the vacancies could be filled using temporary workers.

Johnson said he would take whatever kind of employee he could get, but he preferred the employee not be temporary because of the type of work done in the grounds department.

“[It is not a viable option] in the sense that this department tends to have a high volume; unfortunately, (with) temporary labor you have to be supervised,” said Johnson. 

The council granted approval for the mayor to begin pursuing hiring an additional grounds worker.