Keokuk, IA – Keokuk is looking into hiring a new parks director.
Dick Sykes retired as director of the parks, cemetery, and bridge departments in late 2005.
Instead of replacing him, the city shifted control of the 3 departments to Public Works Director Bill Richards in an effort to save money.
Finance Committee Chair Doug Matlick says the workload in the city's parks has reached the point where a separate director is needed.
He doesn't know if the director would be needed year round.
In recent weeks, the city has had to hire several temporary employees just to keep up with mowing in the parks.
Additional Information
* Matlick says he does not know what the salary would be for such a position.
* Several council members discussed incidents of mowers being left out and parks not being mowed as examples of the need.
* The director could also be charged with organizing tree trimming and handling the renting of facilities within the parks.