The City of Moose Jaw has separated the engineering department into two different areas and created two new director positions to lead the sub-departments.
City hall made the separation effective May 19 based on an “organizational renewal” of the department after former engineering director Josh Mickleborough vacated the position, city manager Jim Puffalt explained during city council’s May 25 regular meeting. During discussions, city administration talked about focusing more on core business areas within the city.
Engineering services had also become so massive in scope, with city administration adding many major capital investment projects during the last few years and expecting to add more projects in the future, he continued. All these factors allowed city hall to split the department into two areas.
Darrin Stephanson, who is “no stranger to city hall and city council,” is now the director of the public works and utilities department, while Bevan Harlton has been named director of the engineering services department.
The public works and utilities department will be responsible for maintenance and operation of infrastructure. It will also oversee the delivery of solid waste, water and wastewater, streets and roads, the vehicle fleet, and transit.
The engineering services department will oversee the delivery of a majority of infrastructure replacement, public works and utilities capital projects, and will hold overall responsibility for tenders and equipment reserves.
Puffalt did not give a reason why Mickleborough had left the position. Mickleborough had not been seen at council meetings since at least February.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, June 8.
