Clovis utilities head wins top Fresno Co. public works post

By Marc Benjamin / The Fresno Bee

(Updated Friday, July 22, 2005, 5:44 AM)

Fresno County's search for a new Department of Public Works and Planning director has ended close to home.

Alan Weaver, public utilities director for the city of Clovis since 1999, will take the reins of a county department with about 500 employees. Weaver worked in Clovis for 20 years.

The search that ended Thursday lasted several months as county officials looked for a person who is both a civil engineer and land surveyor.

Weaver, 49, fills both roles. He moves from a fast-growing, financially secure city of 86,000 residents to an 880,000-citizen county burdened with financial woes.

In Clovis, Weaver was in charge of the city's landfill, water, sewage, roads and engineering. He oversaw construction of the city's water filtration plant last year.

For the county, Weaver will manage land use and development requests, water and sewage systems in unincorporated communities, county landfill operations and county parks. He also is responsible for the maintenance, design and construction of the 3,600 miles of county roads and other major county projects.

"He is coming from a very successful team and worked in engineering, construction, planning, utilities and economic development, and we need someone to cover all those bases," said Bart Bohn, Fresno County administrative officer.

Weaver also will be asked to coordinate future urban growth of 15 cities and several unincorporated communities.

He replaces Severo Esquivel, who was serving in the county position on an interim basis. Weaver will earn $130,000 annually. Clovis officials wouldn't say how much Weaver made there, but said the range for the position is $89,976 to $136,296.

Fresno County Supervisor Bob Waterston, who worked with Weaver as a Clovis City Council member, was encouraged to learn about Weaver's new post.

"I have so much respect for Alan," Waterston said. "He is extremely easy to talk to and low-key. He is just the nicest guy, too."

Clovis Mayor Nathan Magsig said Weaver's loss will be felt.

"Alan has been a wonderful employee to work with," Magsig said. "He is a problem-solver; his colleagues speak very highly of him. It will be challenging filling that position."

Harry Armstrong, a council member for the past 35 years in Clovis, added: "I am going to miss Alan. Alan has certainly done a very good job for us over the years. It's our loss and the county's gain."

Weaver, who started his professional career in 1979 as an engineer with the county, said he will have several challenges in the new job.

"I think water is an ongoing critical need, and I believe we need to look at ways to improve service in the county's development section," Weaver said. "I think it's just a function of figuring out what we can do for county residents."

After his initial work with the county, Weaver joined the U.S. Forest Service before going to work for Clovis in 1985.

"I have enjoyed my association with Clovis and have grown professionally and personally," Weaver said. "It was a great opportunity and great honor. The staff here is just outstanding and I can't say enough good things about the city council, they give the staff the support necessary to carry out the vision."