Commission confirms William C. Diamond Jr. as director of public services after questions about experience

The commission moved to confirm the city manager’s appointment of William C. Diamond Jr. as the Department of Public Services director following a competitive recruitment process that included internal and external candidates.

City staff described Diamond’s municipal background, noting more than 30 years of municipal experience, prior roles overseeing streets, water, sewers, parks and municipal facilities, and experience as a captain and inspector in fire services. The city manager said the candidate had served as a public-works superintendent in Utica and previously as director in Hamtramck, and that he met pre-employment requirements.

Several commissioners questioned the candidate’s specific director-level experience and whether he met preferred qualifications in the job description (including a bachelor’s degree and four years’ public-service leadership). Some expressed concern at relatively short tenures in recent positions and recommended more background be shared with the commission or a future work session to meet the new director and ask questions directly. Supporters noted references and interviews were checked and defended the selection.

During roll call confirmation, the motion passed; at least one commissioner (Brown) recorded a dissenting vote. The commission asked staff to consider a future session to meet the new director and asked for documentation about the selection process and scoring.