Water Board Approves Hire Of Search Firm

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Water Board met in special session on Friday afternoon to consider hiring Byrnes and Rupkey as the firm to help them fill the General Manager’s position.

The Friday meeting was a continuation of the special meeting they held on Monday.

Outgoing Oskaloosa Water Department General Manager Chad Coon outlined the decisions made at Friday’s meeting and spoke about what’s in store for his future.

“The board decided that they were going to move ahead with an exclusive retain search with Byrnes and Rupkey out of Waterloo, Iowa for filling the position I will be vacating here, General Manager’s position for the water department,” said Coon.

In other action with the board, they decided to name an interim General Manager to help keep the department running smoothly as the search takes place for a new General Manager.

“So we have an internal employee that’s been here for five years, and he’s really progressed up through the ranks and gotten the different certifications. That was my recommendation to the board, was that they look at putting Matt Van Wyk in this interim position. So in my absence, he would be able to fulfill some of the administrative duties and help continue to guide the department in the direction it needs to go, whether it’s the water side or the sanitary storm sewer side, because he’s got knowledge in both.”

“It’s important that we minimize the disruptions to the customers and operations and that the flow is smooth,” added Coon. “Hopefully we reduce any hiccups, any speedbumps along the way and we can keep things running in a smooth manner. We don’t want to try and burden the customers. We really want to make sure we, the service, stay top notch and they don’t notice the issues that are going on.”

Coon’s last day in that position will be May 3rd, 2019, and then he begins his new position with the Waterloo Water Department on May 6th, 2019. “Transitioning right from one into the other,” added Coon.

Coon’s position will be different in Waterloo from what it has been here in Oskaloosa. “It will be different but the same. It’s still the General Manager’s position. It’s still under a board, so similar to Oskaloosa, but water only. There won’t be any more stormwater/sanitary. That is something that’s separate within the City of Waterloo.”