Jan. 15—LIMA — Amy Harpster said she would be willing to serve for as long and in whatever role Mayor Sharetta Smith would have her.
The Lima mayor introduced Harpster as interim director of the Public Works Department at her Wednesday press briefing and touted her resume and accomplishments.
“More than that, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Amy during her tenure including my time as chief of staff, and I have always been impressed with her leadership capabilities and her thorough knowledge about all the things we need to keep us safe and in compliance not just for the public infrastructure, but also for residential building improvements,” Smith said. “The fact that she’s been able to rotate through different city departments speaks to our mission of being better together because one of our biggest challenges in city government is breaking down those silos and being able to have leadership that can see the city from the perspective of all those departments is very beneficial not just for us, but for all the residents to understand the touchpoints.”
The position came open in September, when former director Kirk Niemeyer left the city for a role outside Lima government. He held the role since February 2022.
Harpster has worked for the city for 29 years as a code enforcement supervisor, a utilities customer service manager, the assistant building and zoning administrator and as a building official.
“I look at it as we are servants, and that’s how I was raised,” she said. “It’s an honor to accept this and serve. We have an excellent staff in our department and that’s one of the reasons I accepted the position.”
Smith listed an associate’s degree of applied science in electrical engineering technology from Lima Technical College, an associate’s degree in general studies from Cochise College and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Bluffton University.
Harpster praised the divisions in the department for their service and pledged to emphasize the work.
“If you see somebody doing quality service, recognize them,” she said.
Harpster said she anticipates being in the role when the Lima Community Aquatic Center opens in May and said she is looking forward to that and other projects the department has in the works.
“There are a lot of projects ongoing that we have that can make a positive difference in the community so emphasizing ‘Better Together’ encapsulates what we’re trying to create and the mayor has provided great leadership for that,” she said. “There are stages behind the scenes people don’t even see. We try to make it look seamless, but we’re doing a lot of work.”
Harpster is also certified through Ohio Building Inspection as an electrical safety inspector, non-residential industrial unit inspector and residential building official. She is also a certified electrical journeyman through the city.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
Featured Local Savings