Port Arthur Director of Utilities Jimmie Johnson is the city’s new assistant city manager and will start his duties helping City Manager Brian McDougal immediately.

McDougal announced the selection Monday, after a through interview process among city staff seeking the position.

“The three of us, myself, Robert Bilnoski, Human Resources director for Golden Pass LNG, and Gary Reeves, Jefferson County assistant district attorney, unanimously selected Dr. Johnson after an extensive interview process,” McDougal said.

Johnson’s position is the first of two assistant city managers to be hired. City Council during the city’s budget making process allocated funding for the two positions with the stipulation that one of the assistants be hired from the ranks of the city’s departmental directors, and be a permanent position.

The second assistant position is temporary for a period of two years.

This year’s budget allocated $120,000 for each assistant city manager position.

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve the city of Port Arthur,” Johnson said. “I am a public servant at heart.”

Johnson, a native of Orange, started with the city about a year and a half ago.

He will retain all the duties he currently performs as utilities director. In his new position, Johnson will work hand-in-hand with McDougal to develop strategic plans, staff development, special projects, budget committees, and helping to proceduralize departments, just to name a few of his new duties.

He will also be working with the forensic audit, the budget process and perform some public relations duties until the city hires a public information officer.

“I am very excited that I can provide some assistance to the city manager with the challenges we face with the city,” Johnson said. “One of the things I need to provide is some direct relief to the city manager. We are sitting down and discussing the span of control of departments, which departments I am going to oversee, which departments fit better for me and for him.”

Johnson has 26 years experience in municipal government, having started when he was just 14 working in a summer program as dogcatcher.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was a member of the 82^nd Airborne Division.

After serving his country, Johnson returned to the Golden Triangle and finished his degree at Lamar University.

He has held numerous positions in municipal government, including assistant director of utilities in Tyler, where he retired from after five years.

“I for one look forward to working with him and continuing to build our management team,” McDougal said.

Johnson’s advancement leaves the city with four management positions to be filled including the second assistant city manager position, director of human resources, public information officer and an assistant in the water utilities department.

E-mail: sherry.koonce@panews.com

Twitter: skoonce@panews.com