SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 8, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski has appointed a longtime city employee as director of the Department of Public Services.
Lisa Shaffer is an 11-year employee of Salt Lake City, including two years as administrative services director for public services, according to a news release from the Mayor’s Office.
Shaffer has served for the past five months as interim director of the department. Her appointment is contingent on the advice and consent of the City Council.
“I’m very pleased to announce Lisa’s appointment to director of public services,” said Biskupski. “She has proven her strong leadership abilities as interim director, and she brings a wide range of project, personnel, and budget management skills to the director’s position.
“She is highly respected by her team and will ensure this highly visible department responds in a timely and efficient way in delivering services to the public.
The public services department oversees 13 divisions and operates under a $67 million annual budget. Department employees provide many of the direct services residents and visitors depend on every day, such as street repair, park maintenance, snow removal, open space management, golf course operations, tree maintenance, street signs and signals maintenance, and the Youth City program.
“I’ve loved serving the citizens of Salt Lake City and I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as the new director of public services,” Shaffer said.
“Every decision I’ve made while working for the city is rooted in the basic truth that we work for the people. They count on us to provide essential services and to responsibly use their tax dollars in making their lives better.”
Shaffer’s priorities include establishing stronger professional development programs for public services employees, many of whom are skilled trades people, she said. Maintaining parks, public lands, and open spaces adequately for a population that loves its green spaces is another challenge, Shaffer said.
