Michael Walsh Takes Helm at Public Works

Jasper County meet Michael Walsh, the new director of the Jasper County Public Works Department.

A description of the department, as listed on its website, describes it as responsible for maintaining and improving Monticello public infrastructure and public properties. Browsing over Michael’s work history, I would say he is capable to lead the department (which sees after Jasper County’s roads), but after our interview I upgraded him to more than capable.

The lifelong Jasper County resident is a Jasper County High School graduate that founded and operated Walsh Construction, Inc. for the past 18 years. Running his construction business, Michael said he became a “jack of all trades.” His self employment work had him building houses, grading, concrete…name it and he’s done it. Prior to the business, which he is considering shutting down, Michael worked as a mechanic for Larry Champion Logging, a journeyman for Carlton Industrial Maintenance, and was an installer for B and W Pipeline.

When the director’s position became available, Michael noted that he felt a calling to the job. He could take everything learned over the past 25 years—from tracking budgets and expenditures to operating and working on heavy equipment—and roll it all into one job

“I got the position and I am happy to serve,” said the new director. “Jasper County has an image to uphold and it’s our duty to uphold it.”

The Public Works Department contains divisions devoted to roads and highways, parks and recreation facilities, public buildings, sanitation, and utilities. The director said that the department currently has about 20 employees, give or take, and that a few new hires are in the future. In addition to the personnel, some of the equipment includes five dump trucks, three motor graders, four grass cutting tractors, and a new Gradall.

“I am learning something new every day and I am the type of guy who believes we should learn something new every day.”

One goal Director Walsh has for the department is to provide on-the-job training for the employees. To that end, he knows the new public works building that is currently under construction will help facilitate that. The 60 x 80 building will be 4,800 square feet in size as a three bay garage. The new construction, slated to be complete by late March 2021, will house the public works administrative offices.

Also, the director would like very much to set up a conference/training room in which to provide that employee training he is so keen on.

Excited about the new facility, he is able to watch it being erected from the window of his current office when he finds time to occupy that space throughout his busy day.

“I am very grateful to the commission and County Manager Mike Benton for all the hard work they have done to get the building here. It will be a big asset to the Public Works Department.”

Michael isn’t all work all the time especially when spending time with his family. The son of Jim and Bonnie Walsh is also husband to Angela, father to Laura and Tyler, and brother to Amy.

The Monticello Baptist Church member describes himself as an honest Christian who likes to work and strongly believes in good work ethics.

Ethics he has been instilling in Laura and Tyler from a young age in the form of work on their cattle farm. The Walshes raise beef cattle and he makes sure his kids are part of the process of maintaining the herd.

Director Walsh wants everyone to know “as a lifelong resident of Jasper County I want to do my best to help the community.”