Cedar Rapids utilities director leaving for private-sector post

CEDAR RAPIDS - City Utilities Director Pat Ball has resigned after 33 years with the city to take a private-sector job with Stanley Consultants of Muscatine.

Ball oversees about 300 employees in the city's water, water pollution control, transit and solid waste divisions.

The City Council created the position of utilities director as part of a City Hall reorganization in 2007, and Ball, who had been the director of the Water Pollution Control facility, was picked for the post.

On Thursday, Ball said his leave-taking from the city isn't an indication that he's unhappy working for city government.

“This was just a really good opportunity, and Stanley is an outstanding company,” he said. “At this point in my life, it was an opportunity that was very attractive.”

Ball said he will work as a project manager specializing in water and wastewater projects in Stanley's Cedar Rapids office.

The utilities director earns $137,009 a year with the city. He turns 55 this week, a milestone that allows him to begin to receive his Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System pension under the “Rule of 88” - age plus years of service.

Ball said he will finish up his work with the city in about 60 days. City Manager Jeff Pomeranz will hire a replacement.

“We have a very competent, dedicated staff in the utilities area, and I feel very comfortable leaving at this point and leaving it in their competent hands,” Ball said.

As utilities director, Ball has overseen the repairs and elevation of the city's system of wells along the Cedar River that was damaged in the Floods of 2008, as well as repairs to flood-damaged Water Pollution Control along the river. Both facilities are in good shape, he said. He noted that the city's water system delivered water through this summer's drought without the need to restrict water use.