Public Works

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Mission Statement
The mission of the Public Works Department is to operate and maintain the City's facilities and infrastructures in the most efficient and effective manner possible.

Services
The Public Works Department provides the following services to the community:

Drinking water wells and treatment
Drinking water distribution and storage
Sanitary sewer collection
Wastewater treatment and disposal
Street maintenance and repairs
Street overlays and rehabilitation
Storm water treatment and drainage systems
City building and facility maintenance
City vehicle and equipment maintenance
Capital Improvements and construction projects
Public works management and administration
Solid waste recycling programs
Disabled person's accessibility to public facilities programs.

>We have 24 full time employees and 5 part time employees to
provide these services.

Operations and Maintenance
Last year we produced 496 million gallons of drinking water and collect and treat about the same amount of wastewater. Our storm water drainage system includes street gutters, open ditches, and culvert pipes that drain into several natural creeks that discharge into the Eel River. We design and construct repairs and improvements for our water, sewer, transportation, drainage, and building systems.

Costs
Health and environmental laws and regulations are continuing to increase the cost of providing street, storm drainage, water, and wastewater services to the City.

It takes a large amount of money to operate and maintain these systems. The annual "day to day" expense for water is about $900,000 per year, over $1,100,000 per year for sewer, and about $400,000 per year for streets and storm drainage. The city also plans to spend $20 million over the next 5 years on needed improvement projects. This includes $2.1 million for water, $9.3 million for sewer, $4.1 million for streets, $900,000 for drainage, and $500,000 for other facilities.

These costs are necessary so we can maintain the investment we have in our infrastructures by doing required repairs and replacement. The City's operation cost continues to rise as our population increases. New and expanded facilities are required to meet these needs.