The City of El Dorado recently announced Jason Patty as the new Public Utilities Director.
Patty has worked with the city for fourteen years, originally hired as a drinking water treatment operator on May 2, 2007.
“Over the last fourteen years, I have served as Chief Operator and Superintendent of the Wetlands and Water Reclamation Facility,” he said. “As Director, I look forward to showcasing the abilities of our staff while providing reliable services to the community.”
City Manager David Dillner said, “Jason brings a lot of experience in the management and operations of public utilities to the department. He is well-respected within the industry, and will provide a fresh look at the department’s operations and processes.”
Patty takes over during a busy time for the department. The City Commission has recently approved bids for a Water Capacity and Treatment Study, as well as a Sanitary Sewer Master Plan.
“The goal of these studies is to identify triggers for treatment plant expansion, as well as gaining a snapshot of our distribution and collection systems,” Patty said. “Based on the information received, we will identify Capital Improvement Projects and make plans to complete these projects in the coming years.”
“We are also currently engaged with the State of Kansas exploring a water trading concept that will reward our efforts at the Wetlands and Water Reclamation Facility with regards to nutrient reduction. Additional revenue allocated as watershed protection above El Dorado Lake will add even more credits to the city’s bank to be used to offset capital improvements as more stringent permit limits are imposed on our stormwater permit, as well as our NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit at the Wetlands and Water Reclamation Facility.”
One of Patty’s goals for the department focuses on infrastructure.
“Infrastructure across the industry is something we have neglected over the years,” he said. “It is my intention to educate the public as to the importance of infrastructure that is otherwise out of sight, out of mind. In order to provide uninterrupted service to our customers we need reliable infrastructure to bring clean and safe drinking water to the tap and convey sanitary sewer flows from the city to the Wetlands and Water Reclamation Facility.
“Community involvement will be the key to shoring up our infrastructure and providing all the services we have been accustomed to for the foreseeable future.”
During his career, Patty has been involved in his industry, as well as the community. Within the Kansas Water Environment Association I have been involved with the Plant Operations and Maintenance committee, Chairman of the Lab committee, and currently serve as the President for the Association. In the community, he served as a past president of the Rotary Club in El Dorado, in addition to Rural Water District No. 2 Chairman.
“Along with my wife, Gretchen, and our four kids, Alyssa, Brookelyn, Blake, and Logan, I want to extend a hand of gratitude for the opportunity to serve the citizens of El Dorado,” Patty said. “I am truly honored to be working with such a great team of individuals that share the same passion for water and the community we serve. I look forward to listening to your questions, comments, and concerns as we head down a new path of leadership together.”
Patty replaces Kurt Bookout, who retired from the department in December, after 28 years with the City.