photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., Thursday, July 7, 2016

The City of Lawrence has named a director for its Municipal Services and Operations Department, which was created earlier this year following the merger of the city’s utilities and public works departments.

City Manager Tom Markus announced in a news release Wednesday that Dave Wagner has been hired as the Municipal Services and Operations Department director. Wagner, who was formerly the director of utilities, will assume his role immediately, according to the release.

Wagner has worked for the city for 38 years, and his appointment comes after a competitive internal recruitment process, the release said. Markus said in the release that Wagner’s leadership skills stood out in the hiring process and would be key to the ongoing merger effort.

In April, the Lawrence City Commission expressed support for the city staff recommendation to merge the city’s utilities and public works departments. City staff reviewed the two departments and recommended they merge to improve efficiency, collaboration and services. Markus told commissioners at that time that jobs would not be eliminated as part of the merger but that the city would continue to evaluate all positions as they are vacated as part of its attrition plan.

Wagner said in the release that he is excited about the opportunity to serve as the director of the new department and that he has a high opinion of the MSO staff, their capabilities and their desire to serve the community.