Local News

AP hires public works director

Marc Valero | Highlands Today
Published: January 28, 2013

AVON PARK - The city will have a new public works director soon, which will fill a vacancy that was open for more than a year and a half.

Vincent Akhimie has accepted a job offer, said City Manager Julian Deleon.

"It was important for us to hire a Florida licensed engineer," Deleon said. "I am pleased that we have one in this instance. He is well-qualified for the position, with a bachelor's and master's degree in engineering, and has held similar positions in other organizations."

The position pays $70,000 annually and oversees about 24 employees.

Akhimie is expected to start by Feb. 28.

"I have been wearing two hats for way too long and I am looking forward to the extra help," Deleon said.

Deleon was the city's public works director when he was named interim city manager in March 2011. The city council selected Deleon as the city manager on a permanent basis in August 2011.

The position has remained open, with Deleon overseeing the public works department.

Akhimie is a former director of public works for the City of Riviera Beach. Previously, he served as director of the public works department in Oviedo.

He has a Master of Science in civil engineering from the University of Washington.

Also, Deleon will seek a budget adjustment from the City Council today to recruit for a city mechanic ahead of schedule for succession planning purposes.

On the council meeting agenda, Deleon notes that the city's mechanic is retiring after 16 years of service. The retiring employee has a diverse skill set and works on heavy equipment, the sanitation fleet, small engine repairs and the regular city fleet.

The maintenance and repair of the sanitation fleet is an "operational necessity," he said. During failures, the cost to rent a garbage truck can be as high as $3,000 per week.

Deleon is requesting the authorization of contingency funds for succession planning and recruitment for the position.

mvalero@highlandstoday.com (863) 386-5826