The recent Signal Mountain budget meeting had representatives from every department discuss proposed changes to their budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Loretta Hopper, Public Works director for the town, said her focus was primarily on making the department more efficient and self-sufficient in resolving issues for the town as they arise.
“We need the right equipment and personnel to do what we need to do,” Hopper said. “My guys do a great job; they’re really conscientious about their work, but we need the right tools.”
Among the largest changes for the department is a new vehicle repair station that she said is expected to be done by September 2016. The current station is cramped for space, and the new one will have three different repair bays, an administrative office and a large storage shed.
Whenever a large piece of equipment has to wait on parts in the current station, she said, it can hold up work for other equipment and vehicles. In addition, officials said at the budget meeting that the hiring of a second mechanic is on the horizon for the department, but isn’t a pressing matter at this time.
“We try to plan accordingly if some equipment is held up in the station,” said Hopper. “The essential services are always prepared for, but it’s definitely caused some headaches.”