KANSAS CITY – The snowplows are rolling, clearing the roads of snow and slush, even as MODOT deals with staffing issues.
Since 2018 Missouri's transportation department has paid nearly two million fewer labor hours than normal, equating to about 900 people.
MODOT director Patrick McKenna said that's a result of people leaving for higher paying jobs, turnover over the years, and an inability to bring in the next generation of workers.
"[It's] really straining our ability to provide the level of service the citizens of Missouri have come to expect and do expect from us," McKenna said.
McKenna claimed staffing levels hit an all time low last year, and it's been impacting customers.
"We've seen a pretty significant decline, about 10% decline, in customer satisfaction, citizen satisfaction, and legislatures are getting calls and complaints," McKenna said. "The commission has really tasked me in the department with turning that around."
McKenna said the good news is that in 2023, MoDOT gained more workers than it lost for the first time in a decade. He credits better pay and more efficient on-boarding.
McKenna said customer surveys have shown more dissatisfaction with things like roadside maintenance and snow plowing. But he hopes the post-pandemic staffing issues have bottomed out and this year will be one of building up.