The city of Waco is considering replacing its janitorial staff with private contractors in an effort to save $294,000 a year.

City staff and three council members discussed privatizing the service at a budget and audit committee meeting Tuesday, three days before City Manager Dale Fisseler releases his preliminary budget for 2016-17.

If the council agrees, the city would bid out the janitorial services now performed by 22 full-time and three part-time employees, reducing janitorial costs from $950,000 to an estimated $656,000 a year. Current employees earn between $9.94 and $14.10 per hour, plus benefits for full-time workers.

City general services director Kelly Holecek told the council committee that a contractor could do the work with fewer employees and could eliminate the missed cleanings that occur when staff are sick.

Fisseler said the city already relies on contractors to clean the police headquarters at the Hillcrest Tower, and that arrangement has worked well.

Councilman Jim Holmes said outsourcing the service “makes sense.”

“With this savings, it’s almost a no-brainer,” Holmes said.

More at source: Waco Trib

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