City of Manhattan release
MANHATTAN— Interim City Manager Jason Hilgers has announced that Assistant City Manager Wyatt Thompson, who oversees major projects and the Building Services Division, has been appointed as interim director of the Public Works Department, starting Aug. 18.
The Public Works Department provides services and facilities including streets and traffic control devices, storm drainage and flood protection systems, public buildings, and water and wastewater systems.
Under the direction of the Deputy City Manager, the Director of Public Works is responsible for leading, planning, and managing all activities and operations of the department’s 135 full-time employees, its three divisions, and a nearly $50 million annual budget.
“Wyatt has done a great job of project management in his current role, including overseeing the Animal Shelter contract with Prairie Paws and the CiCo Park project,” Hilgers said. “I have every confidence in him to be able to add these additional duties to his portfolio and excel in doing so for as long as is needed.”
Thompson will take over for interim director Lynden Lawson. “This interim appointment will provide our incoming City Manager with time to make an organizational development decision on operations,” Hilgers explained.
During this interim appointment, Thompson will supervise the administrative support team, Engineering Division, and Street, Fleet, and Stormwater operations team. He also will supervise Public Utilities until September 3, when incoming Director of Public Utilities Kevin Niles will begin employment.