Public Works Director Retires after 38 Years of Service

(Sedgwick County, KS) – During its regular meeting today, the Board of Sedgwick County Commissioners appointed Jim Weber as Acting County Engineer/Director of Public Works, effective Friday, June 19. This move came in preparation for Public Works Director David Spears’ retirement on Friday, June 19, following a nearly 40-year career. 

“David has been a great asset to Sedgwick County,” said Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner. “He is a wealth of knowledge and has been a great custodian of our infrastructure. We wish him all the best in retirement.”

Spears has been the Director of Sedgwick County Public Works since 1985 and with the County since 1982. During his tenure, Sedgwick County has had several notable projects such as the Kellogg/ I-235 interchange, ARC-95 (95^th St. South between Meridian and Greenwich), and the recently completed bridge in Haysville near Campus High School. Movement on the North Junction project began under his tenure last year.

Public Works has supported quality of life amenities by paving the Sedgwick County Zoo’s parking lot and maintaining the County’s parks’ infrastructure.

Preventative maintenance has always been a high priority for Spears; since 2002, Sedgwick County has spent $90 million on preventative maintenance for the County’s 600 miles of roads.

Weber has been the Deputy Director of Public Works since 1999 and with Sedgwick County since 1982. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University.

The Public Works budget totals more than $31 million and supports four core programs: highways, noxious weeds, storm drainage, and environmental resources.

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