OTTUMWA — Upcoming city retirements have prompted a study of current and future staffing requirements.

The Ottumwa City Council this week approved hiring Argent Global Services to handle that job. Based in Oklahoma City, Okla., the company provides process engineering and consulting support.

City Administrator Joe Helfenberger said studying staff is a council goal and he wants Argent to evaluate city organization and report back on job time requirements, possible consolidation and potential for reorganizing workloads.

“We found no other company in this area that focuses on this type of study,” Helfenberger told the council.

He also said either he or a designated staff member will decide which activities and positions will be observed. The collected information will be summarized in a report that will detail the findings.

“The recommendations should become the foundation for future lean initiatives within the [city’s] organization,” Helfenberger said. “We’ll see if we will need more or less resources.”

He estimated onsite professionals will be able to conduct observations and/or meet with 30-45 individuals, who are non-fire union personnel.

“This is different from the fire department study,” he added.

Argent will look at non-fire union positions, which total 45. Total cost won’t exceed $27,000 and the study will be completed by Nov. 15.

Councilman Bob Meyers wondered about “the baseline” for the time study.

Helfenberger said Argent will look at the city job, then look at one requiring similar skills. After comparison, the consulting firm can create a benchmark for “what needs done and how much time” it takes.

Argent has provided services for such companies as Pier 1 Kmart, Bar-S, Delta and Best Buy. The council unanimously approved hiring the firm.

In other action, the council approved buying a push camera for use in the engineering, Water Pollution Control Facility and sewer maintenance departments.

Public Works Director Larry Seals said the purchase was planned for a later date but inflow and infiltration problems at Quail Creek prompted engineering to proceed with the push camera.

“As we move forward with inflow and infiltration removal requirements, we’ll have to create a method to check for illegal connections of foundation tiles,” he said.