JACKSON HOPES TO HAVE FIRST PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ON BOARD BY JAN. 1

JACKSON - Jackson's new public works director should be on the job by Jan. 1, says Mayor Paul Sander. It will mark the first time the city has employed a separate public works director.

Sander said a number of applications have already been received from the area as a result recent advertisements.

"We're looking at a Sept. 30 cut-off date for the applications," Sander said. "At that point, the committee I appointed in June will review all of the applications and select four to seven semi-finalists to present to the board of aldermen. The board will then pick two or three finalists who will come in for personal interviews with the entire board. After that, the board will make its decision sometime in late November or early December."

The position will also be advertised this month in city and county government trade publications, such as the Missouri Municipal League and Missouri Association of Counties.

"In all, our ad will appear in about eight to 10 professional publications around the state and the country," the mayor said. "The reason for the extensive advertising is we feel this (public works director) will be a very important step for Jackson. We want to make sure that all interested and qualified applicants for the position have an opportunity to apply."

The public works director will be responsible for the water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and collection, street and storm sewer maintenance, solid waste management, fleet maintenance, landfill, and various public projects.

Sander said the public works director will work directly under City Administrator Carl Talley. "Because it is both a professional and supervisory position, we want to make sure we have someone who can work with the public, as well as other city officials, department heads and employees," the mayor said. "With the exception of the mayor, city administrator, and board of aldermen, the public works director will have more day-to-day contact with the general public than any other city employee."

Sander said the public works director will also serve as a liaison and coordinator between all city departments. "We are a growing city, and right now there is a void in this area of communication between city departments," he said. "The other primary reason for a public works position is to take some of the load off of our city administrator. It's no longer a one-man operation. Carl is overloaded. He has needed help for some time."

Sander emphasized Talley's responsibilities as city administrator will not diminish when the new public works director arrives.

"Carl's position within city government will be just as a important as ever. The only difference is Carl will be relieved of many of the coordinating responsibilities he must handle now, so he can concentrate more on his skills as an administrator. Right now, he's taking care of all of the city departments," said Sander.

Earlier, there had been some discussion the public works administrator might also serve as an unofficial assistant city administrator. But Sander doesn't envision that occurring at this time.

"You never know what we might come up with in the selection process, but right now, I do not anticipate the person we hire as public works director moving into the city administrator's position in the future," said Sander.20"That means that in about five to seven years from now, we're going to have to start thinking about who will replace Carl when he decides to retire. That person could be hired as an assistant city administrator who would move into the city administrator's position when Carl retires."

Appointment of a public works director later this year will also relieve acting city engineer Rich Bowen of many of the public works duties he has been handling for the city. Bowen is a professional engineer and partner with Bowen and Lawson, Inc., a consulting engineering firm, based in Jackson.

Bowen agreed to fill in as temporary city engineer for Jackson in August 1990, following the retirement of City Engineer Jack Weith. The job was only supposed to last until the city found a new city engineer. But the "search" has stretched to three years. For the past two years, Bowen has been, for all practical purposes, working fulltime for the city.

This year, Bowen discussed the situation with the board, noting that his duties as acting city engineer were taking more time away from his private engineering work

Sander said instead of hiring a full-time city engineer, the city will continue to use Bowen for his professional engineer services on an "as-needed" basis.