Batavia losing longtime public works chief

Batavia is losing one of its senior managers with Friday's announcement that public works director Gary Larsen is resigning.

Larsen, who has worked for the city for 34 years, is leaving Oct. 5.

"He's had a long and dedicated and accomplished career with us," Mayor Jeff Schielke said.

Larsen was unavailable for comment.

Schielke praised Larsen, who started as a meter reader, for his expertise with the city's electric utility.

"He re-examined how we did electricity," Schielke said.

Larsen was instrumental in negotiations with Fermilab to obtain high-voltage power lines on the east side and in finding other sources of power for the city to buy, such as the downstate Prairie State power generation plant in which the city invested.

"He's been a key figure," Schielke said.

Larsen has been public works director since 1993. He's overseen expansions and upgrades of the city's water and sewage treatment facilities, including the building of two new water towers and a crosstown water transmission line. He is a member of the board of directors of the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency.

"He really worked his way up the ranks," said Randy Recklaus, the assistant city administrator.

The public works department includes the streets and walks division as well.