New City Public Works Contractor Takes Reins, Shops Local

A new firm will oversee the city of Elk Grove's public works services starting this week, a change that means savings for the city -- but layoffs for a few workers covered under the old contract.

Anaheim-based Willdan Engineering submitted a bid for the three-year, multimillion-dollar contract that was 30 percent lower than previous contractor Interwest Consulting, the city's largest contractor since 2002, said public works director Richard Shepard. The department handles everything from landscaping to traffic signals, and is currently focused on a major project to realign the intersection of Grant Line and Waterman roads.

Of the 45 employees formerly employed in public works, 29 will be retained under the new contract, while the remainder -- a combination of engineers, technicians and administrative workers -- were laid off or chose to remain with Interwest in other positions, city officials said. Shepard said the city already planned to reduce staff in the department before inking the new contract, due to budget constraints.

The new contractor lost no time in making a statement of support for local businesses by purchasing nine new trucks from Elk Grove Toyota Tuesday for use in city projects.

"This partnership helps our economic development, and it helps with sales tax revenue," Mayor Steven Detrick said of the purchase.

Over a quarter of the city's sales tax revenue comes from automotive and transportation businesses, said city spokesperson Christine Brainerd. The city and its contractors have already purchased several trucks from Elk Grove Toyota and Elk Grove Ford in recent years, Brainerd said.

The Auto Mall has been a focus of city economic development efforts recently. Last month, Elk Grove Ford reopened there with city incentive money after closing two years ago.