The public can meet candidates for director of Whatcom County Public Works — county government’s largest department — at a reception on Friday, March 10.
Two finalists remain in the running to replace Jon Hutchings, who resigned in November. One is the current interim director of public works, Elizabeth Kosa. The second finalist is Mike Gent.
Kosa served as Whatcom County’s assistant director of public works from May 2020 until Hutchings’ departure. Before that, she was chief of staff for Washington State Ferries.
Gent is currently deputy city manager of Surprise, Arizona, a city of about 150,000 just outside Phoenix. Gent was public works director in Surprise and previously was assistant to the public works director in Tacoma.
A third finalist originally announced by the county, Dawn Uchiyama, withdrew her name from consideration.
The finalists’ reception will be held 1:30–3 p.m. March 10 in the Civic Center Garden Level Conference Room, 322 N. Commercial St., Bellingham. Forms will be provided for attendees to provide written feedback on the candidates.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu will appoint the new public works director, with confirmation by the county council. The new director will be paid $11,056 to $16,053 a month, depending on qualifications.
The public works department maintains 960 miles of county roads, in addition to providing year-round ferry service to Lummi Island. The department is also responsible for flood control, noxious weed control and stormwater management.
The next director will inherit a disgruntled workforce. Employees in maintenance and operations, which maintains the county roads, have spoken out publicly about low wages and a lack of leadership at the Central Shop. The road workers and hundreds of other county employees represented by Teamsters Local 231 have been renegotiating a new contract and are scheduled to enter mediation with county management in April.
