Interim supervisors named for roads department as highway superintendent retires

​YORK – Greg Heine and Ashley Rasmussen have been named the interim supervisors of the York County Roads Department as York County Highway Superintendent Harvey Keim is retiring this week and the search for his replacement is underway.

​County board liaisons Andy Bowman and Daniel Grotz “have been talking with them, as well as road crews, about a temporary solution while we are recruiting a new highway superintendent.”
Grotz said the arrangement would have the two working together, with Rasmussen continuing to oversee the office operations and Heine overseeing the outdoor crew and work.
“They will continue to work to make sure everything is going smoothly,” Grotz said. “Andy and I will have more of a presence there, during this time, but they will run the operations.”
“So constituents can use the same phone numbers as they have before?” asked Commissioner Randy Obermier.
“Yes, and Ashley will be responding to the cell phone number,” Bowman said. “And yes, our presence will have to increase, as Daniel said. There is a lot of change happening at the roads department, outside of Harvey leaving.”
“Yes, the calls will go to Greg and Ashley as well as a third person,” Grotz said.
“We reiterated with the crew that Daniel and I will also be on the call list,” Bowman said.
Obermier asked if city and state officials have been notified regarding the change of contacts. Heine said they have been.
“This isn’t a longterm solution but it will work for now,” Grotz added.
Heine also noted how the department is now going back to five 8-hour days a week, because of the change of seasons. During the summer, they work four 10-hour days a week.
Grotz thanked Heine and Rasmussen for their work and “for stepping up to help.”
Meanwhile, Heine provided an update on road department activity, saying he recently attended a NIRMA conference and the department experienced an engine problem with one of the motorgraders. Also added he is investigating options regarding the department's need for a new motorgrader.
Rasmussen said she continues to work with a new computer system which will be able to do many things, including tracking the costs of maintaining each and every mile of the county.
It was noted how interviews have started for a new motorgrader operator, who will work in the Waco area.
The commissioners also reminded everyone how an open house is scheduled for Keim on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the county shop, from 2-4 p.m.