Dedication and steadfastness paid off for Mitch Garner Tuesday morning when Allen County commissioners appointed him to fill Bill King’s position, starting Aug. 1.
King, director of Public Works, told commissioners earlier he would retire at the end of July. King lauded Garner and recommended him.
The vote was two-to-one — commissioners Jerry Daniels and Tom Williams in favor. Commissioner Jim Talkington said he preferred to advertise the position, rather than having it be a matter of intra-departmental succession. “If Mitch is interested he should apply and go through the process,” he said.
Garner was not at the meeting, although he has been several times in recent weeks as part of a shadowing process to make himself more aware of what King does, and of what will be expected of him in taking the reins.
Daniels suggested a probationary period. “Six months,” said Williams, allowing that typically is what is given other county employees.
Garner, far from a newby, will be paid a salary of $52,000 a year.
A 1990 graduate of Iola High, he has been a county employee for 14 years. Garner started at the landfill, after a previous stint as a mechanic at Shields Motors in Chanute, and in short order moved through several departments. He worked at the landfill, in mowing, bridge construction, maintenance shop and for the past 12 years as manager of Allen County Airport. All of which, Garner noted later, was an example of “Bill being good at keeping people cross-trained.”
Garner said he had accompanied King often the past few weeks in his daily rounds to keep a finger on the pulse of the Public Works Department, which has given him an insight into its workings. He will continue to take an active role as King’s assistant.
No organizational changes are anticipated, Garner added: “It runs well now” and there’s every reason to think that will continue.
Garner and his wife, Donita, a child advocate with Hope Unlimited, have two children, Grace, 12, and William, 3.
King has been director of Public Works since November 1992.
Scott Reeder has replaced Garner as airport manager.
Garner to lead Public Works Dept.
