MANHATTAN, Kan. — Interim City Manager Jason Hilgers announced today that Kevin Niles, who currently serves as Utilities Director for the City of Odessa, Texas, has been hired as Manhattan’s new Director of Public Utilities, with an anticipated start date of September 3, 2024.
Niles will oversee the recently reconstructed Public Utilities Department, which provides essential services for Manhattan and surrounding infrastructure.
“We welcome Kevin to the team and look forward to his leadership and oversight in delivering essential water and wastewater services to the community,” Hilgers said. “Kevin will join several experienced and highly valued personnel in our new Public Utilities Department.”
Niles has more than 10 years of experience in utility management. In Odessa, he is responsible for leading a department that operates five divisions, including a laboratory, water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, collections, and administration. He manages a $35 million budget and leads a team comprising 70 full-time staff.
His prior experience includes three years as the district manager for Stratmoor Hills Water and Sanitation District; six years as general water resources manager for Pueblo County, Colorado, for the Arkansas Groundwater Users’ Association; and one year as Parks and Open Space Director for the Cherokee Metropolitan District in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Under the direction of the Deputy City Manager, the Director of Public Utilities is responsible for leading, planning, and managing all activities and operations of the department and its six divisions, and oversees a team of 61 full-time employees. Public Utilities manages 30 million gallons of water per day, 11 million gallons of waste per day, 5,400 manholes, 280 miles of water mains, 260 miles of sanitary sewer lines, 26 lift stations, 20 underground wells, six water towers, and six booster stations.