The Public Works Department and its current state has been a reoccurring topic at the last few city council meetings.
From potholes to dilapidated houses to garbage collection and litter, city leaders said the majority of the complaints they receive surround the public works department.
“Potholes and garbage make up 90 percent of the complaints I hear,” said Ward 2 Alderman Dr. Jack Varner.
Recently, a number of citizens have contacted The Herald about their garbage collection, or the lack thereof. Photographs have appeared in The Herald showing mountains of garbage piled atop city-issued cans. And those citizens said the collection is off-schedule by days sometimes.
Many citizens said potholes have also been a growing concern. Large holes can be found on main streets throughout the city, only to be repaired with what many are calling “Band-Aid solutions.”
And Mayor Diane Delaware publicly called out the litter situation within the community during the last Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting.
“There is a lot of paper on the streets,” she said. “A whole lot, far too much.”
Walter Williams, public works director, has said in the past that he is aware of all of these concerns. But he said it all comes down to equipment and manpower.
Williams said he doesn’t have the necessary equipment to do the job asked of him. And he also said he could use more employees.
According to the city of Yazoo City’s website, the public works department is one of the city’s largest departments. It is comprised of about 30 employees.
The bid process to purchase the needed equipment has been on the agenda of the last several board meetings. For nearly six months, the process continues with little results, according to some board members.
Varner said it all comes down to the board itself. He added that he feels Williams is doing a good job in his leadership role within the department.
“There is a lot wrong with our public works department,” he said. “And it’s our fault. We have not bought the necessary equipment to do the job. They don’t have the proper equipment.”
Varner said the most recent process has continued for the last five months, and the city hasn’t ordered a single piece of equipment yet.
“The city is not broke,” Varner said. “We have a big carryover from last year, and we can buy the equipment. It’s not about the money. We just keep putting it off. The board is sitting on their butts, not doing anything. This should have been done six months ago.”
Ward 1 Alderman Ron Johnson said the equipment should have been purchased last Monday during the city council meeting.
Johnson added that he feels the failure to make the purchase falls upon Williams.
“It’s in his lap,” Johnson said. “It’s on him. It’s out of my hands.”
Johnson said the condition of the streets and dilapidated houses are the two major problem areas within his ward.
“And nobody has done anything about it,” Johnson said. “Not getting the equipment is holding all that back. Even if we tear down the houses, we have nothing to haul them off in. And it’s not hard to buy what you need. We are just spinning wheels.”
However, Delaware said the solution can be resolved if Williams would simply do what is asked of him by the city council.
“I am wishful for public works,” she said. “It requires a strong, focused manager who reaches out to other people in public works. I understand that Williams is new at it, but he needs to reach out to the vendors and suppliers and learn more. Until that happens, I’m worried.”
Delaware said it is important for department heads to work together.
“Yazoo City is a team, and it’s a team that needs to communicate with one another,” she said. “I am hopeful our director will begin to understand that and demonstrate those behaviors and actions.”
Delaware said she doesn’t think Williams has made a sincere effort to improve the department.
“In the last seven months, I haven’t seen any improvements,” she said. “I would think within six months, one would be able to overcome these things.”
As far as the purchasing of the much-needed equipment, Delaware said it comes back to Williams.
The purchase of the equipment has been included on the board agenda for the past two meetings. Williams has not been present for those two meetings.
“Williams has not provided us with what we need,” Delaware said. “So far, no action has been taken by Williams.”
Delaware said Williams has failed to provide any of the paperwork and records requested by the board to purchase the equipment. Now, she said the process could run into the month of June.
“Whenever something is due, Walter Williams doesn’t make an appearance,” she added.
Delaware recently made a motion to fire Williams.
Calls to Williams were not returned as of press time.
