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Local engineers urge Charter Review Commission to keep licensed-PE requirement for public works director
Summary
Members of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and several residents urged the Joplin Charter Review Commission not to remove the charter requirement that the city’s public works director be a Missouri-licensed professional engineer, citing public-safety oversight, ethics, and access to funding. The commission heard technical questions about reciprocity and staffing.
Curt Higgins, speaking on behalf of the local chapter of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, told the Charter Review Commission that the group "respectfully oppose[s] any amendments to the city charter that would remove the requirements that the city public works director be a professional engineer registered in the state of Missouri." He read a written position that framed licensure as a safeguard for public health, safety and welfare and for ethical accountability.
"The Public Works Director holds direct responsibility for the integrity and performance of Joplin's infrastructure system, including streets, bridges, stormwater, and utilities," Higgins said, arguing that those duties "require sound engineering judgment, technical competence, and ethical accountability." He told the commission that many state and federal programs require qualified engineering oversight for funding and permitting.
Clayton Christy Olsen, who spoke with Higgins, said the PE requirement also promotes mentorship: junior staff can work under a licensed engineer and gain the four years of supervised experience needed for licensure. When commissioners asked whether an out-of-state candidate would be excluded, MSPE representatives said licensing by reciprocity into Missouri is feasible but that retaining a Missouri license requirement preserves oversight and discipline options.
Resident Frank Thompson, who later testified on the same question, said removing the PE requirement would be "reckless and opens the door for unqualified appointments," increase outsourcing of major projects, and funnel local taxpayer money to outside firms. "Removing professional qualifications doesn't fix any problem from the charter," he said.
The commission did not take a vote on the proposal at the meeting; it held the public hearing on the question and closed that portion of the agenda after public comment. Commissioners asked staff to include the written MSPE statement in the meeting record and indicated they will consider the testimony as they prepare recommendations to the city council.
The commission is under a deadline to submit recommendations for council review by Dec. 1; council action to place changes on the April ballot would need to occur by the third week of January.
