Huntingburg Common Council: New website and new superintendent announced

The City of Huntingburg has two new things; a website and Water Utility Superintendent.

Todd Williams accepted the Water Utility Superintendent position offered by the City of Huntingburg. He appeared with his family: wife, Jenny; daughter, Brinley; and son, Caydyn. — Todd Williams accepted the Water Utility Superintendent position offered by the City of Huntingburg. He appeared at the Huntingburg Common Council meeting with his family: wife, Jenny; daughter, Brinley; and son, Caydyn.

The council approved offering Todd Williams the position recently vacated by Tony Trayler as the city’s new Water Utility Superintendent.

Williams comes from Winslow where he was the town’s Utilities Superintendent. He previously worked for Neikirk Engineering as a business manager/water, wastewater specialist.

Williams humbly thanked the council for the job offer.

“As President of the American Water Works Association, I’ve seen the way Huntingburg operates and view it as a progressive, clean and friendly community,” says Williams. “I’ve always thought it would be a great place to work and I’m really excited and looking forward to this opportunity.”

Williams holds licenses in WT4 Water Treatment Operator, Class 2 Wastewater Treatment Operator, Equivalent Industrial Wastewater Treatment Operator, Grade DSM Distribution System Operator and Grade DSS Distribution System Operator.

He is also American Water Works Association (SW District, Indiana) President, a member of the White Oak Lake Association Board of Directors, Illinois American Water Works Association, Missouri American Water Works Association, Kentucky-Tennessee American Water Works Association, Alliance of Indiana Rural Water and Indiana Rural Water Association.

“We’re thrilled for Todd to join the City of Huntingburg,” says Huntingburg Mayor Denny Spinner. “Todd is very qualified for the position and I’m confident that with his direction, our water department will continue to provide outstanding service to our customers.”

Williams’ wife is an English teacher at Wood Memorial.

He is expected to start on December 2.

Also during the meeting, Rachel Steckler, Communications and Community Development Director for the city, announced the redesigned website will be activated on Tuesday.

According to Mayor Denny Spinner, the site is something the administration identified as a way to better communications between the city and the citizens. This issue was a common theme during a series of community conversations the mayor held his first year in office.

The interface is all new and the inner workings now allow for much more interactivity and input from selected city employees to keep the public informed. It features a city calendar, action center and many other features to improve communication with the city.

The website is built to adapt to whatever device the visitor is using to view it — computer, tablet or smartphone.

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The council also took the following actions.

—Approved accepting Midwestern Engineers a 13-month service agreement and rate schedule for projects authorized by the city.

—Approved adding two federally recognized holidays to the to the annual schedule of observed holidays. Those holidays are Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veterans Day.

—Approved drafting the new salary ordinance for elected officials that included a two percent pay increase. The council has not taken a pay raise for four years but did approve raises for the mayor and clerk/treasurer office during those years.

Councilwoman Linda Summers stated she felt the council raise should be in line with the city employees which is one percent at a minimum.

City Attorney Phil Schneider stated he felt the council should approve a salary increase due to the amount of time the council members spend working for the city. Council members receive $667 a month to serve on the council.

Councilwoman Amy Lehr and Councilman Steve McPherron stated they felt some form of stipend was necessary to continue to attract new talent to those positions.

Councilwoman Summers was the only member present that voted against the two percent raise. Councilman Glen Kissling was absent but he informed the council he felt a 1.5 percent increase for elected officials was appropriate.

—Approved $10,000 (or 10 percent) matching funds to be used for a Highway Safety Improvement Program grant of $100,000. Street Superintendent Jason Stamm stated the money would be used to replace the city’s signs to bring them up to compliance with new Americans with Disabilities Act standards and new reflective standards.