Employee Shortage Prompts City To Postpone Holidays On The River

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — Citing negative impacts to the city of Tuscaloosa's workforce due to the increased local spreading of the coronavirus, Mayor Walt Maddox announced on Thursday that the city has decided to postpone its Holidays on the River event for the next week.

During an update provided via Facebook Live, Maddox said a total of 135 city employees, more than 10% of the city's workforce, is currently out on leave due to testing positive for the coronavirus or coming into direct contact with a positive case. The departments hit the hardest, he said, continue to be public works, Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue (TFR) and the Tuscaloosa Police Department (TPD).

Click here to subscribe to our daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices for free. You can also support local journalism by donating as little as $5 a month to become a supporting member or by downloading our free Patch mobile app.

According to the latest data, TPD reports a total of 26 personnel on COVID-19 leave, while TFR reported 61 firefighters and paramedics out.

"The city’s workforce is thin in public safety and public works and, as I’ve said, that could mean adjustments to ensure we have adequate staffing in our other situations," he said.

READ ALSO: Tuscaloosa In 'Cautionary Season' As COVID-19 Cases Surge: Mayor

Maddox told Patch earlier this week the changes, if implemented, could see adjustments made to shift hours and shift days. He also went on to say during Thursday's update that some services may be impacted, but the goal will remain to prioritize essential functions.

"There may be some services that are delayed a day or two, such as trash, garbage or recycling, or our turnaround time is not what it was," he said. "You have to focus on what’s the most important and work outwards from there."

As for Holidays on the River, Maddox said he hopes to have an update at the next regular City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Maddox then went into detail on recent coronavirus numbers and trends, which saw Tuscaloosa add 127 new cases on Thursday and a disturbing total of seven new virus deaths, four of which have been confirmed. As it relates to the number of new cases, Maddox reiterated the importance of contextualizing the data, but said the numbers were still a cause for concern.

"I'm not certain if this is part of the backlog ADPH has been addressing the last couple of days," he said. "But certainly, when you’re in triple digits, that’s dangerous territory."

The mayor also said the city once again this week hit a new record for its seven-day average for new cases, which is up to 85.43 cases a week.

Maddox would discuss other topics relating to a rise in cases in city schools and community spreading of the virus, as he lobbied the community to take any and all measures to protect themselves, their family and the place they live.

"It's up to us as individuals for us to do the right thing and respect our fellow neighbors," he said.

In closing, Maddox reiterated a point made in an interview with Patch earlier in the week as it relates to the city's response in the event that case totals continue to spiral in a negative direction.

"Our public policy on this matter has been driven by protecting our healthcare system and if DCH feels at any point their system could become overloaded, that the integrity of the system could be compromised, the city will act, make no mistake about it," he said. "We have to protect our healthcare system. Not just for coronavirus patients … you need to have the best healthcare possible, minutes away."

Follow Patch here for updates or on Facebook and Twitter.