×

City Administration Confirms Acting DPW Director

Mark Roetzer was appointed by Mayor Eddie Sundquist and approved by the City Council to serve as the acting director of the Department of Public Works and the acting director of the Parks and Recreation Department as the city searches for a new director following Jeff Lehman’s retirement. Pictured is Mark Roetzer taking his oath of office during the City Council’s most recent voting session. P-J photo by Timothy Frudd

With the retirement of Jeff Lehman, Department of Public Works director, the city administration is hoping operations will be maintained as normal, as the city searches for a new director.

The City Council voted Monday to approve Mayor Eddie Sundquist’s appointment of Mark Roetzer as the acting director of the Department of Public Works and the acting director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

With Lehman’s retirement from the city after 29 years of service, Sundquist said the city is “very lucky” and “very excited” to have Roetzer, who can “step up in that role” as the city continues its search for a new Public Works director.

“We wanted to make sure that we had someone that was able to step into that role as we work to finalize our search for a Public Works director,” he said. “We really wanted to make sure that we just continue the good work of the Public Works Department, so we don’t anticipate that operations are going to change.”

According to Sundquist, Roetzer has worked for the city as an engineer for over a decade. Prior to his new role as the acting director of the Department of Public Works, Sundquist said Roetzer served with the streets division, helped managed construction projects for the city, and has been involved in some of the planning and development of Jamestown’s roads.

“He is a phenomenal person, and he has an incredible insight into Public Works, having worked for the city,” Sundquist said.

Despite Lehman’s retirement from his position as the director of Public Works, Sundquist said the city anticipates that most of the department’s operations will “stay consistent” under Roetzer’s leadership. He added that Lehman has offered to assist the city through the transition process to ensure a smooth and stable transition for Jamestown.

At this point, Sundquist said the city has not received a lot of applicants for the position of Public Works director; however, he noted that the quality of the potential candidates that have already applied has been “really good.”

Based on the applications the city has already received, Sundquist said the city made an offer to an individual who “ultimately declined” as a result of the candidate moving out of the state. However, Sundquist said the city is currently in the process of offering the position to another applicant.

“He is from a larger city in Florida,” Sundquist said. He has come up and taken a look at Jamestown and met with our employees, some of our council members, so we’ve made an offer to him as well. We’re just kind of waiting to hear back.”

In addition to the city’s search for a new director of Public Works, Sundquist said the city is “actively looking” for new engineers as the city is anticipating “additional retirements” in the near future.

“We’re actively looking for other folks to help and to join our team,” he said.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today