Monticello Council returns a full-time position

At a October 11 meeting, the Monticello City Council showed they are not above reversing a decision if it doesn’t turn out the way they anticipated.  
City Manager Kelly Pehrson presented a proposal to change the front desk position at the Monticello City Office from two part time positions, back to a full-time position with benefits.
Pehrson justified his suggestion by pointing out that since he started working for the city, three part time people have quit to take full time positions elsewhere. He said that with 700 customers to deal with at the front desk, and the recent utility rate increase, the citizens deserve a better service.
Pehrson said that the ity is losing money by training people, only to have them leave in a few months. There is also a cost to fix billing errors which are more frequent with the lack of employee continuity.
It was suggested that perhaps a change to the police department clerk would be coming in the next year, allowing the council to change that position to a part time employee. There was also discussion over doing away with a city court system and having it done by another agency, which Pehrson will research.
The council approved changing the front desk city employee to a full-time position with benefits.
Councilman Brad Randall voted against the motion, expressing concern over changing the position at this time and issues with costs to the budget.
Randall suggested waiting to make a change until another employee changes to part time or retires.
Councilmen Scott Frost and Scott Shakespeare had concerns over the costs that would be incurred by postponing the change, due to problems with billing and having other city employees working to fix these issues.
Councilman Craig Leavitt questioned if the police secretary is changed to a part time position, would they have the same problems with employee retention in the future in that department?
The council discussed locations where Questar Gas may have moved meters and has left deficiencies that need to be fixed in walkways and concrete.
Mayor Doug Allen said that if residents have things that need repair or items that are left undone by Questar, they need to contact City Manager Pehrson so these items can be addressed.
The council approved a resolution to request a recertification of the Monticello Justice Court by the Utah Judicial Council. By approving the resolution, the council states they are willing to meet requirements of the Judicial Council for operation of the court for the next four years.
In other business, the council approved a class A alcohol license for Maverik.