Mayor Mike Huether announced today that Kevin Smith will serve as the Assistant Director of Planning and Building Services and report to Director Mike Cooper.

A key initiative for Smith will be leading efforts to assess, direct, and oversee the city-wide code enforcement activities and functions. Smith will be responsible to ensure code enforcement policies and procedures contribute to a unified and streamlined response that includes quality customer service, program integration, effective and efficient investigations/ inspections, comprehensive reports, and code compliance. Smith will also be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Planning and Building Services, including customer service, oversight of the City’s transit management contract, improving zoning/rezoning process, and overseeing the coordination of development review processes and policies with other City departments that best facilitates economic growth. Smith will assume his new duties effective July 26, 2010.

Smith has been employed with the City of Sioux Falls since August 26, 1991, and most recently served as Assistant Director of Public Works, a position he has held since January 11, 1996. Smith previously worked in Planning and Building Services from 1991 to 1996. Before moving to Public Works in 1996, Smith held the title of Senior Planner. Smith has a master’s degree in geography with an emphasis on regional planning from Western Illinois University. Smith has been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 1994.

Mayor Huether will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. on July 15, 2010, at City Hall, first floor small conference room, where he will answer questions from the media regarding the organizational change in Planning and Building Services. Mike Cooper and Kevin Smith will be available for the press conference with Mayor Huether.