The Madison Parish Police Jury discussed staffing shortages in the parish maintenance department during its March 9 meeting.
Parish Superintendent Clinton Epps told jurors the department is short about six to eight workers.
Epps said the shortage has affected work including grass cutting, ditch cleaning and other maintenance across the parish.
The department is currently hiring tractor operators, truck drivers and laborers.
Parish President Jane Sanders asked during the meeting whether a commercial driver’s license is required for tractor operators. Epps said a commercial driver’s license is not required for tractor operators but is required for truck drivers.
Epps said the shortage of workers was caused by employees leaving to find other work, with some hired at the META data center construction site in Holly Ridge. The shortage has delayed work requested by jurors in their districts.
