Under an old business agenda item, Ward 5 Alderman Sam Brock Jr. voiced a litany of concerns calling for an internal audit of Indianola’s Public Works Department.
“Everybody rides around Indianola, looks, and knows what’s going,” Brock said. “I’m not discrediting anybody in the performance of their job, but this department needs to be held more accountable.”
Among Brock’s concerns were upkeep of trucks and equipment, actual time or lack thereof engaged in work, a more efficient work order program, and the presentation of a definitive point system that has been discussed in past meetings.
“When I brought up the point system before, you kicked against it,” Indianola Public Works Director Robert Spurlock stated. “You said it was too harsh.”
“Well, it’s your fault that you didn’t bring it back up,” Brock recanted.
Of grave concern was possible substance abuse while on the job. “Some of these people don’t come to work quite in their right minds,” Brock said. “We need to prioritize a drug and alcohol testing program. The reason why we can’t get potholes filled is that employees are riding around with gravel in their trucks and not covering potholes. They are just sitting in city vehicles running the air and not taking care of them because they know the city will pay for them. And they are riding by the liquor store socializing instead of working.”
Brock’s blistering rebuke also insinuated that public works employers were, “doing jobs for other people in city vehicles, using city material on city time.”
“Let me provide some balance and some context,” said Indianola Mayor Ken Featherstone. “There are some people at public works who are doing a great job. I was in South Gate recently and I witnessed a work crew that went and bought parts, improvised and demonstrated great teamwork.”
