The City of Jefferson will start a new year with a new public works director and police chief.

In a special meeting earlier today, the City Council hired Dave Morlan as the new public works director and appointed Mark Clouse as interim/active police chief.

Morlan served as police chief for four years and has been a patrol officer since 1996. Prior to joining the police department, Morlan worked as a streets and sanitation worker for the City in 1992. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio why he wanted to transition to another City position.

“I’ve been in law enforcement for 19 years and the things that go along with that, it can wear on a guy after a while. So I saw this as an opportunity to continue in an administrative role as a new challenge and a new chapter.”

Morlan will oversee the water, street, sanitary, recycling, parks and cemetery departments. He will also be responsible for each department’s budget, scheduling employees, allocating resources and handling employee evaluations. His salary will remain the same when he was with the police department at $62,520. Morlan’s position will take effect January 4th.

Clouse will officially be promoted to police chief later in January. His salary must go through wage and benefit committee before being approved by the City Council.