City Public Works Department employees designated as “operators” make more money per hour than non-operators, but more training and certification comes with the title.

The topic was discussed Tuesday during the regular Board of Aldermen meeting as a matter of clarification. 

Ward 2 Alderman Shannon Moore said he had a couple of questions for Public Works Director Kris Xifos — do operators have more certification, and is the opportunity to get certified open to all employees?

Xifos assured him that the answer to both is “Yes.” 

“Operators have CDLs (commercial driver licenses), that’s why they get more hourly,” Xifos said. “They do have to go through certification to get the ‘operator’ title and move up in pay.”

While not everyone who drives a tractor, for example, is required to have an operator designation, operators have proven proficiency with the equipment they operate. 

Xifos also said he encourages everyone in his department — especially those who are still in their first year of employment — to get as many certifications as they can, so they can perform their jobs better and get comparable pay. 

Moore said his questions came because he was concerned that if not everyone was able to attempt certification if they wanted to, the morale of the department might come down. He thanked Xifos for the explanation.

In other business, Steven Barnett of WGK Engineering told the Board that only a couple of houses remained in Oak Hill to have water service lines run to, as well as just a couple remaining in the Brignall/Browns Loop project. He also said quotes had been requested for installation of speed saver lines and ADA compliant-changes to the East Monticello Street crosswalk at Brookhaven High School.

Tuesday night, the Board voted to approve:

• Hiring Jeffery Johnson as an Operator in the Street Department at $15 per hour, pending drug test and physical.

• Hiring Trevor Gatlin as a full-time, non-certified Patrolman in the Brookhaven Police Department at $34,650 per year.

• A three-year service increase for Firefighter Canon Travis from an annual salary of $35,602.15 to $38,000, effective Dec. 21, 2024.