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City water facility in good hands
Council votes to hand water department over to current city employees

Ryan Williams/WGCN<br>
Councilman Don Dent explains his opposition to a four-member council.

Ryan Williams/WGCN<br> Councilman Don Dent explains his opposition to a four-member council.

WILLIAMS - After Ron Stilwell's recent departure from his position as water superintendent at the Williams Water Plant and Wastewater Treatment Facility, Williams City Council members opted not to fill the position but instead rely on two current employees to fill the void.

After a presentation from Interim City Manager Joe Duffy during the council's Feb. 10 regular meeting, council members voted unanimously to place management of the water facility in the hands of Billy Pruett, with 21 years of experience and currently overseeing the entire department, and James Grantham, recently promoted to foreman.

According to Duffy, steps have been taken recently to correct inefficiencies and problems at the water facility.

"We believe as a staff, and this has actually been confirmed by the engineer that we've hired, that the plants are being operated to the best of their ability," Duffy said. "We are operating as efficiently as can be done. There are no operational concerns whatsoever."

Duffy recommended to council that a new superintendent and/or consulting fee not be hired at this time.

At issue recently are ADEQ filings and permitting and testing. Duffy said Dave Monahan with SWI Engineering has been hired by the city to interface with ADEQ and help city staff understand what is necessary to get the facility compliant.

"He's been working with staff for the last few weeks and is making really good progress," Duffy said. "He is feeling really confident that in a few weeks they will have a system set up so we'll be able to stay in compliance from this point forward."

Duffy went on to say morale in the water department is high.

"It has been a complete turnaround in the department," he said.

Councilman Bernie Hiemenz was the first to agree with Duffy's assessment.

"Personally, I've got total faith in those two gentlemen over here," he said. "I think they do a good job for us. I do. You jumped in there and you're handling it good. I don't joke."

Councilman Frank McNelly asked Pruett if he agreed with Duffy's assessment of the situation at the plant.

"One hundred percent," Pruett said.

The city will pay SWI over the next few months approximately the same amount as an individual in a supervisor position but Duffy said after that time, staff at the water plant will likely assume much of the supervisory responsibilities.

"There is a good chance, and it really depends on these guys, that we won't need to hire a water supervisor," Duffy said.

Proposal for four-member council

As the meeting came to a close, Councilman Hiemenz proposed researching the possibility of reducing the number of council members from six to four as well as changing the length of the mayor's term from two years to four years.

City Attorney Kellie Peterson said some preliminary research on whether the proposal is feasible has been completed.

"The answer is, unfortunately, somewhere in the city ordinances that are not in an easily accessible form right now," she said.

She went on to say the council structure is likely addressed in the city's organizing documents. Whether the current council structure can be modified is also likely in the document.

Hiemenz said he would like to see a smaller council to create less government. He said his research has indicated there are approximately 12 cities and towns in Arizona with a four-member council.

"It might operate a little more efficient. We're going to save a few bucks," Hiemenz said. "If we could patch another pot hole, that wouldn't hurt nothing."

Moore said he is not in favor of a four-year term.

Councilman Don Dent voiced opposition to spending city funds on any research.

"I really don't want to waste any money with the attorney on it as far as I'm concerned," Dent said, adding that with a seven member council the community is served with a more diverse group of elected officials than if the council's number were to be reduced.

Each council member costs the city approximately $7,500 per year. A four-member council would save $15,000.

"If all we're looking at is a little bit of budget savings, I say let's save the money that we would spend on Kelly and table this idea for another 20 years," Dent said. "That's a motion."

The council in a 5-1 vote approved the motion.

"I oppose it because that was a slap in the face," Hiemenz said.

After the motion passed, Dent apologized to Hiemenz for any misunderstanding.


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