Mayor Pete Kmet Announces Selection of New Directors

TUMWATER –– Tumwater Mayor Pete Kmet announced Wednesday the reorganization of the Public Works Department into two new city departments: Transportation & Engineering and Water Resources & Sustainability.

Earlier this year, the Tumwater City Council adopted strategic priorities for 2021-2026. Those priorities include building a quality community, creating a safe transportation system, being a leader in environmental sustainability, and refining and sustaining a great organization.

The restructuring will better align city initiatives and projects with the priorities that guide expenditures, equipment, facilities, and staffing.

"This change will allow us to focus on our strategic priorities of a multi-modal transportation system and environmental sustainability," said Kmet. "If we are going to reduce impacts on the climate, we must change how we do our work and we need a structure that supports that priority."

Under the reorganization, City Engineer Brandon Hicks will lead the new Transportation & Engineering Department. This department will focus on all aspects of transportation, from streets and non-motorized transportation to planning and operations. Engineering staff will design, manage, and inspect capital construction projects across the city, including transportation, utilities, and parks.

This department will also manage the review and inspection of private development. Water Resources Manager Dan Smith will head Water Resources & Sustainability, the other new department. This department provides city water, sewer, and stormwater utilities, planning, and operations.

Future staff members will complement water resources planning and permitting staff in the areas of sustainability and urban forestry. Hicks is a licensed engineer and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Saint Martin’s University. Before joining the city as transportation manager in 2016, Hicks was employed by Thurston County Public Works.

Smith is a graduate of The Evergreen State College, where he majored in environmental science. Smith was hired by the city 20 years ago as a water resources specialist and is part of growing the city's response to water resources needs.

"I'm pleased to add Brandon and Dan to our leadership team and look forward to further excelling our work designing and building the infrastructure for a growing city," said John Doan, city administrator.

Reorganization of the public works department was initiated following the retirement of Director Jay Eaton in May 2020. Contact information for staff in these departments remains unchanged and is available on the city's website.