Bethel has 36 of 121 city jobs open, including most of its water and sewer haulers

Bethel has 36 of its 121 city jobs vacant, and the crew that delivers water and hauls away sewage has five of its 19 positions filled, according to an Oct. 8 city staffing report.

Many Bethel homes still get their water by truck.

The 14 openings in Hauled Services have shown up in every monthly report since May. Human Resources wrote in June that temporary drivers the city had hired weren't counted in those numbers. It added that a union agreement letting those drivers work past six months would expire at the end of June.

Public Works Director Bill Arnold wrote Sept. 30 that hauled utilities were scheduled and a new sewer truck is coming on the last barge. Another driver starts this month, he wrote, and he's trying to hire one more because two drivers will be out in November: "nothing we can't handle."

The division has lost experience. Its foreman retired at the end of August after 25 years with the city, and average time on the job in the division fell from about 10.7 years in July to 5.8 years in October.

The gaps reach beyond water. Police have five of 19 positions open, dispatch three of six and vehicle and equipment maintenance three of seven. Human Resources says the hardest jobs to fill are ones that require a commercial driver's license, for drivers and mechanics alike, and dispatch. Bethel police have turned to a cadet program to grow their own officers.

The city manager's report says staffing problems are hitting "particularly Piped Utilities and Fire Services." The fire department reports all career positions filled but 24 of 38 volunteer spots filled, and the city manager says it's preparing for anticipated staffing reductions. Last month, residents pressed the council to pay firefighters more.

Turnover is high across the city. Average time on the job is 4.82 years, and the median is just under two. Six employees left in September, three of them through involuntary terminations.

City workers' union members rejected a tentative contract, and talks continue, according to the city manager.