After years of relying on outside consultants for engineering services, the Town of Payson has hired a full-time town engineer who will also serve as the public works director. The dual appointment marks a significant step in the town's effort to bring critical technical expertise in-house.
Ending the Consultant Era
For several years, Payson contracted out its engineering needs to consulting firms — an arrangement that, while functional, created delays and made it harder to coordinate long-term infrastructure planning. Having a dedicated town engineer on staff will streamline project management, reduce response times, and give the town greater control over its capital improvement projects.
The new hire brings extensive experience in municipal engineering, including water and wastewater systems, road design, stormwater management, and construction oversight. These are all areas critical to Payson's continued growth and infrastructure maintenance.
A Growing Town's Needs
As Payson continues to grow, the demands on its infrastructure have increased. From road improvements and utility upgrades to new development review and flood mitigation, the town faces a steady stream of engineering challenges that benefit from having dedicated in-house expertise.
The public works director role adds oversight of the town's day-to-day maintenance operations, including streets, water distribution, and facilities management. Combining both roles under one person creates a unified approach to infrastructure planning and maintenance.
Looking Ahead
Town officials say the hire is part of a broader strategy to build internal capacity and reduce dependence on outside contractors for core government functions. The new town engineer is expected to play a key role in updating the town's infrastructure master plan and prioritizing capital improvement projects for the years ahead.