1 announcement, 3 new department heads for the city of Richmond
Jason Truitt
RICHMOND, Ind. — It turns out Mayor Dave Snow didn't have to look very far to find the person he wants to lead the newest addition to city government.
Derek K. Hill, a city employee for some 18 years, will become Richmond's chief code enforcement officer as of March 1, one of three new department heads announced by the mayor Thursday.
Hill, a Richmond native, has worked for the city since 2001 and currently is a code inspector, a job that he's held since 2014.
In his new role, he'll lead the Department of Code Enforcement, an office being created this year in an effort to put more city resources toward fighting code violations such as illegal dumping, dilapidated buildings and homes, and overgrown yards.
Hill will be responsible for filling out a staff that will include three full-time inspectors, one part-time inspector and a four-person work crew.
"While enforcement is a key part of the strategy for cleaning up our city, I also want to serve as a partner with our citizens in order to help educate them on code violations," he said. "We can make great strides through education and partnership."
As a code inspector, Hill has worked to identify and investigate housing code violations. He also created a data collection and analysis process to expedite and streamline inspections, according to Snow.
"Derek is an integral part of our city team. I am confident he is going to hit the ground running in this new position and take our code enforcement department in a positive direction," the mayor said.
Also changing positions will be City Controller Beth Fields, who has been serving as the interim head of the Department of Infrastructure and Development and now will take over that job full-time as of March 11.
"Beth is the type of person who excels at everything she does. I have been thrilled with her performance as controller. She has consistently presented fully funded budgets, served as partner to other city leaders and to Common Council, and worked as a diligent partner to all city departments," Snow said.
"As the focus of this administration shifts to a more aggressive focus on community development, I can think of nobody better suited to lead the Department of Infrastructure and Development."
Fields already has been head of the I&D office once before. Snow initially hired her for the role when he became mayor in January 2016. She then moved to become the city's controller a year later.
Her successor, Jack Cruse, resigned in June, and Fields has worked both jobs ever since.
"Community development was my first love, and I'm excited to once again be focused on bringing creative, community-centered strategies to my hometown," Fields said. "I look forward to activating projects that will enhance economic opportunity, build strong neighborhoods and ensure we have a dynamic framework to build a future that is inclusive and innovative."
Taking over for Fields in the finance office will be Emily Palmer, who is being promoted from her current job as deputy controller. Palmer has been working in the department since April 2017.
"Emily has clearly shown that she has the capacity and dedication to serve as Richmond city controller," Snow said. "She has consistently exceeded expectations as responsibilities were added to her position. I am thrilled to work closely with her in this new capacity to keep Richmond on track to financial stability and success."
Before joining city government, Palmer worked in various accounting and finance positions for small businesses, nonprofits and CPA offices. She has a master's degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan.
"It has been a distinct honor to work in the city's finance department as deputy controller for the past two years," Palmer said. "Richmond is my hometown, and I am so thankful to be able to give back to the community as a member of the city team.
"I am thrilled for the opportunity to advance to the role of city controller and am extremely fortunate to have been able to work closely with and learn from Beth Fields."
Thursday's announcement leaves one department head position still open in city government. Ronnie West has been serving as the interim director for the information technology department since Randy Kouns left in August.
Jason Truitt is the team leader and senior reporter at the Palladium-Item. Contact him at (765) 973-4459 or jtruitt@pal-item.com.