Further studies on the methods of organizing services in the technical sector are being completed

The city's technical sector is currently evaluating the use of its resources and the ways in which its services are organized. In 2025, the technical sector carried out a study that examined whether it would be worthwhile for the sector to produce its services in-house or to outsource them.

Based on the report on service organization methods completed in autumn 2025, more detailed reports related to the expansion of outsourcing were carried out in early 2026. The reports concern cleaning services, property maintenance as a whole, and equipment and repair shop services. The reports also examined the development of own operations. The report on equipment and repair shop services also includes an assessment of equipment procurement models and ownership.

Currently, the city outsources approximately 50 percent of cleaning services, approximately 60 percent of property maintenance services, and approximately 45 percent of vehicle repair and maintenance services.

"The follow-up studies are almost complete, so it is already possible to report on the results," says the city's technical director, Maria Vasko.

The results of the studies provide a basis for decision-making

Cleaning services report shows that it would be justified to reorganize the cleaning carried out as the city's own work or that it is possible to outsource the cleaning completely. The savings would be approximately 280,000–500,000 euros per year, depending, for example, on whether the cleaning work will continue to be carried out as a day job or mainly outside of operating hours. All options for developing the cleaning work have personnel impacts. The city currently employs approximately 30 cleaners.

Property maintenance The report states that additional outsourcing is not justified in the construction and maintenance of facilities. Outsourcing of services is currently about 64 percent. The rapid response of the city's own personnel to unforeseen situations in real estate protects the city's real estate assets, and urgent repairs as a purchased service may be expensive for the city.

The property maintenance report states that the square footage of property management has decreased due to property abandonment. As a result, it would be justified to reduce man-years and reorganize our own service production so that the share of purchased services does not increase. The annual savings would be approximately 80,000 euros. In addition, it is justified to also assess the dimensioning of service production later, especially if the total area of ​​the properties under management continues to decrease significantly. In the long-term plan, it is possible to increase the share of purchased services in a controlled manner. Approximately 10 employees work in property management.

A total of approximately 20 employees work in property maintenance services, which consist of the construction and maintenance of facilities and property management.

Survey of equipment and repair shop services shows that the city's current operating model is largely based on a purposeful and functionally justified entity, in which its own fleet and its own repair shop operations support the smooth production of the city's basic operational services. The study recommends that the city maintain its own repair shop operations for their core tasks and utilize external services. At the same time, it is justified to keep the personnel size of the repair shop operations to a minimum. The scope of the repair shop's tasks has narrowed significantly in recent years, for example as a result of technological developments in equipment and the number of equipment has decreased. Savings in personnel costs would be approximately 180,000 euros per year. Currently, fewer than 10 people work in the equipment and repair shop services.

The report on equipment and repair services recommends that the city's equipment policy be based on ownership, supplemented by rental and leasing.

Reports to the City Council in May

Based on further investigation, the city's technical director will prepare the matter for the city council meeting on May 4, 2026. The mayor will act as the rapporteur for the matter. The final presentation content is still being prepared.

The scheduling of further measures and a possible collaboration process will be confirmed after the city government has started the process. Final decisions will likely be made in the fall of 2026 on whether to outsource more services or develop in-house service production.

The city supports its personnel in times of change.

“The goal is to ensure that employees in change situations are adequately informed and that they are offered support throughout the process. Supporting personnel in various change situations is an important task for employers,” says Technical Director Maria Vasko.

The City of Riihimäki is implementing a stable economy program. The program aims to adjust operations, evaluate structures and resourcing in order to curb the growth of the city's debt.

A large part of the industry's personnel are under review

A briefing on the further investigation of the technical sector services was held for the sector's personnel today, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Personnel meetings were held for the units and superiors subject to the investigation on Tuesday, April 14.

The technical sector employs approximately 150 permanent employees and also temporary employees, for example in seasonal work. Approximately 60 employees work in the services under review. This is approximately 40 percent of the technical sector's personnel and approximately five percent of the city's personnel.

The technical department is divided into four different areas of responsibility: the facilities center, the urban technology center, the sports center, and the planning and operations management area. Further investigation work is focused on the areas of responsibility of the facilities center and the urban technology center.

The City of Riihimäki employs a total of approximately 1,100 people.

Additional information

Read the previous announcement (September 2025): The city's technical department is investigating the ways in which its services are produced