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Public works superintendent resigns; council hires certified operator to maintain water and wastewater operations
Summary
After Public Works Superintendent Jake Farlow submitted his resignation effective July 12, the Prairie City council approved appointing Dylan Cornelison as interim superintendent and authorized hiring ISG’s Tom Atkinson as certified operator for water and wastewater at $2,250 per month for July–August and $1,850 per month for September–December if a permanent certified hire is not in place.
Prairie City’s interim public-works leadership changed July 10 after Public Works Superintendent Jake Farlow submitted his resignation with a last day of July 12. The council approved Dylan Cornelison as Interim Public Works Superintendent, but staff noted Cornelison had not yet obtained required Iowa DNR certifications for operating the water and wastewater plants.
To maintain regulatory compliance while the city searches for a certified operator, the council authorized hiring Tom Atkinson with ISG as the certified operator for plant operations. The authorization specifies $2,250 per month for July and August and $1,850 per month from September through December if the city has not hired a certified candidate by then. The DNR has allowed filing of an affidavit operator under current deadlines while the city completes hiring.
Public works staff also reported a water-loss rate of approximately 33% for the period referenced in the packet; staff suggested this may be associated with hydrant flushing. Councilmember Emily Simmons requested improved tracking of water loss and resident notification prior to tree removals planned with Pella Tree Service.
Motion to hire the certified operator (ISG/Tom Atkinson) was made by Simmons and carried on a unanimous roll-call vote. The council directed staff to continue the search for a permanent certified operator and to report operational and cost updates as they develop.
