Lebanon Utilities expands water distribution team to support LEAP development

Lebanon Utilities expands water distribution team to support LEAP developmentThe utility board has approved a new water distribution operator position to manage growing infrastructure demands, with costs offset by revenues from the new LEAP district.

The Lebanon Utility Service Board unanimously approved adding a new water distribution operator to its organizational chart.

The workforce expansion is driven by infrastructure growth and the LEAP development project.

Chief Financial Officer Sandra Morgan confirmed that operations and maintenance portions of LEAP occupants' water bills will fund the position, protecting existing ratepayers.

The utility plans to onboard a new hire alongside a highly experienced candidate to streamline the required two-year operator certification process.

Lebanon Utilities is expanding its water distribution workforce to meet the growing infrastructure demands of the LEAP development. During its June 3 meeting, the Lebanon Utility Service Board unanimously approved the addition of a new water distribution operator to the utility's organizational chart. The decision to expand the team comes as the utility manages an increased volume of infrastructure projects. According to utility staff, the hiring process for operators is typically lengthy, often taking several months to complete internal and external postings, interviews, and onboarding. Furthermore, obtaining a distribution operator certification requires a two-year apprenticeship or a college equivalent, and it generally takes a year before a new hire is ready to participate in the on-call rotation. To streamline this process, the utility is capitalizing on a recent successful recruitment effort. A staff member named Ryan informed the board that the utility recently extended an offer to a highly experienced candidate with five to six years of background in utility and large water main installation. By hiring an additional operator simultaneously, the utility can train the new employee without overwhelming existing staff, avoiding a scenario where a delayed hire leaves the current crew overburdened. The financial strategy for the new position relies directly on the LEAP development. Chief Financial Officer Sandra Morgan noted that the need for the new employee is driven by LEAP, and the costs will be covered accordingly. A portion of the water bills paid by LEAP occupants is allocated to operations and maintenance, which will be used to fund the additional personnel. "This protects our ratepayers from paying for LEAP-needed employees because the LEAP occupants will be, in essence, paying their fair share of the need for the new employees," Morgan stated. Utility staff emphasized that the rigorous rate-setting process for the LEAP district accurately anticipated these operation and maintenance costs. The expanded staffing will also benefit the broader civil service, potentially increasing the emergency response crew from three to five members. In other business, the board formally approved utility claims and payroll totaling $8,578,324.96, alongside $70,790 in transfers.