HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 15 2026 - Item 13.1 - Mike GuerraDear City of Gilroy Council Members,
My name is Mike Guerra, and I am a maintenance worker II, for the City of Gilroy Utilities
Department, serving in the Wastewater Division.
I am writing to respectfully ask for your support in providing fair and competitive compensation
for the employees of the Utilities Department, including both Water and Wastewater operations.
Utilities employees provide essential services that every resident and business in Gilroy relies
upon every day. We are responsible for operating and maintaining the critical infrastructure that
protects public health, public safety, and the environment. Whether it is delivering safe drinking
water, maintaining the wastewater collection system, responding to sewer backups, repairing
infrastructure, or responding to emergencies after hours, our work is essential to the daily
functioning of this community.
The responsibilities placed upon Utilities employees continue to increase. Our positions require
specialized certifications, commercial driver’s licenses, ongoing training, technical knowledge,
and the ability to safely operate complex equipment and infrastructure. We routinely work in
hazardous environments, confined spaces, active roadways, adverse weather conditions, and
emergency situations to ensure uninterrupted service to our residents.
Despite these responsibilities, the Utilities Department continues to face significant recruitment
and retention challenges. Skilled employees often leave for neighboring agencies that offer
more competitive compensation. Each time the City loses an experienced employee, it loses
years of institutional knowledge, technical expertise, certifications, and operational experience
that cannot be quickly replaced.
The cost of replacing an employee extends far beyond simply filling a vacant position. The City
invests thousands of dollars in training, certifications, commercial driver’s license programs,
safety training, equipment operation, and continuing education. It can take years for a new
employee to develop the knowledge and experience necessary to independently perform the
work required of a Utility Worker. During that time, existing staff must absorb additional
responsibilities, provide training, and continue maintaining service levels with reduced staffing.
The Wastewater Division provides a clear example of these challenges. Currently, the division
operates with only four employees, including the supervisor. Those four individuals are
responsible for maintaining and operating the City’s wastewater collection system, responding
to sewer emergencies, performing preventative maintenance, conducting inspections, and
ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Maintaining these responsibilities with such
limited staffing places significant strain on employees and creates long-term concerns regarding
sustainability, succession planning, and emergency response capabilities.
The Utilities Department operates twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, providing
services that residents often take for granted until an emergency occurs. Reliable water and
wastewater services are critical to public health, environmental protection, economic
development, and quality of life in our community.
Investing in Utilities employees is an investment in Gilroy’s infrastructure and future.
Competitive compensation will help the City attract qualified candidates, retain experienced
employees, reduce turnover, protect its investment in employee training, and ensure continued
reliable service for residents.
I respectfully ask the City Council to support fair wage increases for Utilities employees that
reflect the essential nature of our work, the certifications and skills required, and the value we
provide to the City of Gilroy every day.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued support of the employees who work
diligently to keep Gilroy’s water and wastewater systems operating safely and effectively.
Sincerely,
Mike Guerra
Utilities Department – Wastewater Division
City of Gilroy