PORT ANGELES — At the start of the new year, Clallam County’s Public Works Department was split in half while the parks, fair and facilities division was removed.
The three county commissioners will formally adopt the changes by a resolution today.
Craig Jacobs, the recently retired public works director, will not be replaced.
Instead, County Engineer Ross Tyler will oversee roads and engineering, and Bob Martin will oversee utilities.
The purpose of the reorganization is to save costs.
Jacobs worked for more than 30 years as parks director and public works director. During his tenure, he oversaw the acquisition and development of 13 of the county’s 19 parks.
The parks, fair and facilities division — led by manager Joel Winborn — became its own department when the changes took effect Jan. 1.
“It’s always been funded separately,” Tyler said.
Sharing duties
County Administrator Jim Jones will inherit some of Jacobs’ responsibilities, as will Tyler and Martin.
“I’ve been bringing these two together, and we’ve been talking, and we fully expect to continue to do that,” Jones said in the commissioners’ work session on Monday.
Tyler said the public will not notice the changes.
“There will be a little more for the three of us, as department heads, to do,” he said.
“Really, functionally, nothing will change. It’s business as usual.”
The roads and engineering side includes road maintenance, engineering, right of way, environmental planning, surveying and the transportation program.
The utilities sides includes treatment plant operations and solid waste contracts.
Appointments today
Also in today’s business meeting, the commissioners will make appointments to six boards and councils.
Gil Simon and Johan Van Nimwegen will be appointed to the Carlsborg Community Advisory Council.
Loren Kruetner will be appointed to the Crescent Community Advisory Council.
Roxi Baxley, Denice Huff, Barbara Davis, Karan Edgington, Barbara Offermann and Don Edwards will be appointed to the Fair Advisory Board.
Don Zanon will be reappointed to the North Olympic Library System Board of Trustees.
Paul Eyestone, Jerry Jacobs, Jerry Schwagler, Tracy Gudgel and Mike Gentry will be appointed to the Permit Advisory Board.
Michelle Eaton will be reappointed to the Public Heath Advisory Committee.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladaily news.com.