Bellevue City Administrator, Jim Ristow, has announced that Public Works Director, Doug Clark, has submitted his resignation to pursue a job opportunity in Arizona. Mr. Clark has been named the new Executive Director of the Arizona Corporation Commission. Mr. Clark has served as the City’s Public Work’s Director since January of 2021 and came to Bellevue after previously serving as the President of Metropolitan Utilities District and as Vice President at Tensaka, Inc.
During his two-year tenure, Mr. Clark has worked with the 150+ employees of Bellevue’s Public Works Department to implement many changes and upgrades that have increased the efficiency of the Public Works Department. Bellevue Public Works is responsible for the Streets, Parks, Wastewater, Recreation, Cemetery, Buildings & Grounds and Fleet departments of the City.
Mr. Clark said that this was a very difficult decision to make. Clark stated, “I have enjoyed my time as the City of Bellevue Public Works Director. The City’s Mayor and City Administrator provided me with the freedom to creatively address community needs and infrastructure replacement. We have had great success planning for the future Bellevue with the Fort Crook Road Plan, Comprehensive Parks Plan, Master Plan for American Heroes Park, Olde Towne/Mission Avenue Street Scape and Stormwater Management Plan. Bellevue is set to move rapidly into a new era of growth. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a dynamic team of City employees and leadership. I will miss my coworkers, citizens, and the Bellevue City leadership.”
Bellevue’s City Administrator, Jim Ristow, is disappointed to see Mr. Clark leave the City of Bellevue but realizes this is a great personal opportunity for him and his family. Ristow stated, “Doug has been an integral part of our Senior Leadership team from the day he started. His ability to manage and work with others to enhance the functions of the Public Works Department have been advantageous to our community. He will be greatly missed but we wish him and his family the best as they pursue this exciting opportunity.”
Mr. Clark will remain in his position through the end of March. At that time the Community Development Director, Mark Elbert, will assume the interim role of Public Works Director alongside his usual duties. The City is starting an extensive search for a new Public Works Director to build on what Mr. Clark has started. The ideal candidate will be a strong leader with extensive management experience that will continue to diligently serve the citizens of Bellevue.