Beginning May 13, La Center will have a new public works director.
Last week, outgoing Public Works Director Bryan Kast announced Tracy Coleman will take his place.
Coleman previously served as Woodland’s public works director for seven years. Coleman and two other city employees were fired in a surprise decision by the city’s outgoing Mayor Will Finn on Dec. 31 last year. Finn blamed the incoming administration’s “new environment of hostility” for his decision, which cost Woodland $200,000 in severance pay. Kast, who was on the hiring committee, said Coleman’s experience in city planning makes her more than qualified.
“I’ve worked professionally with her through public works… I’ve known her for about the same time she’s been up there, and I think she has a great demeanor and has a good community focus,” Kast said.
Kast said one of Coleman’s strengths is her ability to secure grants to fund expensive infrastructure projects, a skill he hopes she can provide La Center. The city is currently securing funds to finish a street widening project on Breeze Creek Culvert and Fourth Street to reduce car traffic and provide pedestrian roadway access. La Center is also working with consultants to create an expansion plan for Timmins Landing, situated south of downtown, and is exploring possibilities for enhancing downtown infrastructure for new businesses and tenets.
Coleman will be shadowing Kast before assuming her new position in May. Kast is moving to Puerto Rico, where he will start his new engineering consulting firm. Kast said he is excited to begin his new career and business.
La Center’s Director of Administrative Services Maria Swinger-Inskeep told The Reflector that the city will pay Coleman an annual salary of $146,711.
