The City Council of Indianapolis has reported significant staffing improvements within the Department of Public Works (DPW), marking a successful year for the city’s workforce. During a recent Public Works Committee meeting, officials highlighted that 90% of budgeted positions are now filled, a notable increase from 84% last year. This achievement reflects the department's adaptability to community needs and the impact of recent collective bargaining agreements.

The DPW has seen a substantial rise in its workforce, with the operations division increasing from 385 to 425 employees, representing a 10% growth. Additionally, the fleet division has expanded from 85 to 92 employees, an 8.2% increase. These changes are attributed to salary increases negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement, which will continue to rise by 3% annually from 2026 to 2030.

The meeting also addressed diversity within the workforce, noting a 7.9% increase in Black, Hispanic, and multiracial managers this year. Furthermore, there has been a positive shift in the demographics of employees in higher salary tiers, with 8 to 9% more individuals from these groups occupying the top two salary brackets.

In terms of gender demographics, it was reported that female non-management staff earn higher average salaries than their male counterparts, highlighting a progressive shift in pay equity within the department.

As the DPW prepares for future operations, a full report detailing these developments and additional programmatic successes is expected later this fall, promising continued focus on enhancing community services and workforce diversity.