The Mt. Carmel City Council has approved the first steps in transitioning from having separate operational departments to a singular public works department.
Presently, the street, water, and sewer departments operate independently with its’ own workers, own equipment, and own projects. Under a public works department, those groups would be combined into one department sharing manpower and equipment with employees cross-trained to help in various areas.
Street Commissioner Tom Meeks, who had previously introduced the idea of a public works program when he served as mayor, says the reorganization is good for the city….
The three other commissioners agreed with Meeks in supporting the public works program which Mayor Joe Judge said would be slowly phased in starting in May.
The new public works department will be housed in the former Southeastern Illinois Counseling Center building at 602 East 5th Street. The building has been vacant and owned by the USDA who put it on the auction block. City manager Rudy Witsman purchased the building for $1 and promptly donated it to the city.
Mayor Joe Judge said when the city was looking for a new home a couple of years ago when the former City Hall was flooded, the asking price on the building was $180,000.
The council last night approved spending $7,100 on a new roof and repairs to the facade.
