By John Huxman
Freelance Reporter
Special to the Tribune
At the city’s second regular commission meeting of the year on January 21, the city recognized its employees for their years of service. Mayor Kyle Farmer made the following presentations and thanked each employee for their work.
Five-year service plaques went to Jason Leslie and Patrick Peterson of the fire department, Gavin McAllaster of the Line department, Danny Quint and James Black of the Parks Department, Bradley Hitz and Michael LaClair of the Police Department, John Shanline at the power plant, and Michael Arntt on Recreation/Maintenance.
Ten-year awards of service plaques were given to Mike Wardlow of the Cemetery Department and Richard Rawson of the fire department.
Those honored for 15 years of service included Brad Blankenship and Angie Branscom of city hall, Lee Van Slyke of the fire department, and Jeff Shanline of the wastewater department.
For 20 years of service, award were given to John Giggy of the Line Department, Jeff Ward of the Police Department, and Michael Jones on Recreation/Maintenance.
Farmer single plaque Bryan Evans a 35-year-service award; he works at the city power plant.
After recognizing employees for their service, the commissioners looked on as Pratt City Clerk Briana Garten then swore in interim Fire Chief Todd Hoffman as the department’s permanent fire chief.
“Several weeks ago Todd agreed to step in at a challenging time and take on the role of interim chief. At least once a month the commissioners would ask me ‘has Todd agreed yet to take the permanent position?’ Our community is blessed by his many years of service and steady disposition and so I couldn’t be more pleased that he’s agreed,” Farmer said.
Commissioner Doug Meyer added that [former] Chief Kramer called him with words to relay in recognition of Hoffman’s position.
“He wanted me to relay some words. He is very proud of you,” Meyer said. “He has complete confidence in you. You have his total support as fire chief, and he is very pleased with the direction that the department is going to be [on] under your leadership.”
In other business, the commission:
*Approved the Electrical Utility Department to spend $215,000 to contract an engineer from Utility HelpNet, Incorporated. All of this money will be reimbursed to the city through a grant.
*Approved the purchase of 875 new electrical meters to be purchased from Border States of Fargo, ND for a total of $199,810.62. This represents one third of all the meters that the city needs to replace. Last year, the city got its first batch of meters which numbered 500. These are “smart meters” that are capable of detecting fire and tampering and that allow a building’s electricity to be disconnected remotely. The newest order may take 24 to 32 weeks to be delivered.
Check the Photo Gallery tab at www.tricountytribune.news to see photos from employee recognition and presentations by City of Pratt. Photos by John Huxman, Tribune Freelance Reporter.
