Century is seeking employees in three water positions
“The Town of Century and Heath Burkett came to an agreement that it was best for the town for him to resign….and the recommendation is to approve the separation agreement, retroactive to March 7, 2024,” said Century Mayor Luis Gomez at Century’s March 19 council meeting.
Councilwoman Alicia Johnson made a motion to approve the separation agreement, which was seconded by Councilman Henry Cunningham and the motion carried unanimously. Council member Sandra McMurray Jackson was absent.
The agreement comes after the town has received multiple warnings over the last year to bring its water and waste water treatment systems into compliance by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. More than 30 water safety violations were discovered and warning letters prompted the town to hire USA Water for six months to bring the town into compliance.
The announcement preceded the discussion of three water treatment positions that are now open are for a water treatment and waste water treatment plant superintendent offering a salary range of $66,560 to $85,000, depending on experience; a water treatment plant lead operator, with a range of $62,560 to $66,560; and a waste water treatment plant operator with a range of $28 per hour to $32 per hour.
Gomez said time is of the essence and once the council approved the positions, they can be advertised. See the advertisements on pages 7 and 10 inside today’s Tri City Ledger.
The mayor said Burkett’s salary is the only position that is budgeted for and Burkett’s is the most important position. Council Member Alicia Johnson reminded the council that there is also an open position vacated by another former employee. Johnson also said the job descriptions are accurate.
The salary ranges are competitive as compared to other salary ranges in other jurisdictions in the Florida League of Cities, according to an associate who was filling in for interim City Manager Howard Brown.
“It is imperative that we fill these positions as quickly as possible,” said Council Member Johnson. “I am currently filling the position and it is a bit overwhelming for me.”
Gomez reminded the council there has to be a licensed operator on the job at least six hours a day according to Department of Environmental Protection, and that Johnson volunteered her time to do that because she is licensed. Johnson worked formally as the water and waste water superintendent for Century in the past.
“Mrs. Johnson is licensed,” said Gomez. “But Mrs. Johnson cannot be compensated because she is sitting on this council. She has volunteered her time in order to save the town thousands of dollars. I’m hoping we can have these positions filled well before 30 or 60 or 90 days. If these job descriptions are approved, they will be out in the street in the morning. We know Mrs. Johnson cannot do that job free for six months.”
Council member Johnson made the motion, which was seconded by Council Member Henry Cunningham. The motion carried unanimously.
The water and waste water positions and their descriptions are available on the town website at https://www.townofcenturyflorida.com/ under ‘What’s Happening’.
US Water’s District Manager Stuart Duncan gave an update on what his company is doing to address the issues stated in the consent order and warnings letters the town has received.
“We’ve assessed everything and are working on the water wells now,” said Duncan. “There were 50 items to be addressed and with this approval, we are at 20 completions already. Of those 50 items, seven are big ticket to take care of in phase 2. We’ve had some policies, procedures and training put into place, so we are moving forward.”
The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Century Town Hall. The public is invited.
