Title
Authorizing an Expansion of LTE Hours for Environmental Health Services in the Department of Public Health Madison & Dane County
Body
Public Health Madison & Dane County (Public Health) proposes the expansion of work hours for two (2) LTE positions in the Environmental Health division to support program activities related to environmental health hazards, some of which is required of public health based on DCO Ch.50.
Due to the planned retirement of (2) two long-standing staff members in Spring 2024; (2) LTE Environmental Health Specialists were hired to maintain minimum program capacity until replacements were hired.
Public Health is in the process of reclassifying and hiring the full-time positions, but this process will not be completed before the two LTE’s run out of hours. This work includes responding to environmental health complaints as mandated by DCO Ch.50 and the analysis of private well drinking water for contaminants of public health concern.
If we do not have sufficient staff employed to work in these programs, we will not be able to respond to air quality complaints, oil spills, pest problems, and illegal dumping as described in the ordinance above. In addition to this, customers will lose access to scientific experts that routinely diagnose drinking water issues, explain test results, educate residents on proper well maintenance, and connect residents to DNR resources.
Dane County’s Civil Service Ordinance, section 18.16(1)(a), limits limited term employees to 1,200 hours per year. To maintain minimum program response and services, we are requesting to increase these LTEs hours from 1,200 hours to no more than 1,800 hours to address priority work.
Due to retirements the program has sufficient salary savings in 2024 to support additional LTE hours.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dane County Board of Supervisors grants an exception to Ordinance 18.16 (1)(a) to allow LTE Environmental Health Specialist positions to exceed the mandated 1,200 work hours by no more than 600 hours, a maximum of 1,800 total hours, in the 2024 payroll year.