City Will Advertise For Public Works Director
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Electric Commission Chairman Brandon Presley addresses the Board of Aldermen on Feb. 19 and said the commission would expand to include water, sewer and sanitation services if requested by the board.
WATER VALLEY — The Water Valley Board of Aldermen voted Feb. 19 to advertise for a public works director, a newly structured position that would oversee multiple city departments following the abrupt resignation of Street Department Director Willie McCachren.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds told the board the city must take the opportunity to create long-term structure.
“Sometimes in life, a problem gives you an opportunity,” Reynolds said. “We are growing in this town and we need to be grownups.”
The proposed public works director would oversee streets, the cemetery, the airport and general supervision and maintenance of city properties. Reynolds said that experience should range from management to the ability to operate heavy equipment and teach others.
The board voted to advertise the position for three weeks, including posting with the Mississippi Municipal Association and the American Public Works Association. Applications will be reviewed in early April and the salary will be based on experience.
“I think part of the problem and the rub with Willie was there’s no structure,” Ward One Alderman Joe Magnuson said.
Ward Three Alderman Grant Thompson also said clearer structure is necessary moving forward. Thompson also emphasized that the new director should focus on management, coordination and long-term planning rather than daily equipment operation.
“The last thing I want to see is our public works director operating a backhoe,” Thompson said. “He should have guys for that. He should be managing the city.”
Reynolds said operational knowledge would still be important.
“We want a stable, solid, knowledgeable person that can pass on that knowledge to the younger people,” Reynolds said. “You want somebody that knows things but can also teach others.”
The mayor also praised existing employees who have stepped up since McCachren’s departure.
Utility Commission Expansion Proposed
Later in the meeting, Electric Commission Chairman Brandon Presley addressed the board regarding broader utility operations.
Presley said the city faces ongoing billing coordination problems among electric, water, sewer and sanitation services.
“At any given point in a month, 65 percent of our customers will be in arrears,” Presley said. “That’s not because people aren’t paying. It’s because our billing cycle is so messed up.”
Presley said the Electric Commission would be willing to assume oversight of water, sewer and sanitation services, effectively converting the current Electric Commission into a consolidated Utilities Commission.
“We’re not here asking for anything,” Presley said. “But if the Board of Aldermen wanted to move water, sewer and sanitation into this structure, all five commissioners committed to take that on.”
He said most Mississippi cities that operate commissions place all utilities under a single entity, allowing for streamlined billing, operational efficiency and clearer lines of authority.
Presley emphasized that no immediate action was requested but said synchronization of billing must be addressed.
“If we don’t get this synced up, we’re penalizing citizens,” Presley said.
Mayor Reynolds indicated the matter could be placed on a future agenda for formal consideration.
“It would take proper notice and appropriate documents,” Reynolds said. “But I think the time has come to move for efficiency in government.”
No action was taken on the proposal during the special meeting.
