The Hamilton, Ohio, Public Works Department recognized with accolades
Located 20 miles north of Cincinnati along the Great Miami River, Hamilton, Ohio, may be a small city of 63,000, but its public works department is doing really big things — and reaping some well-earned recognition for its efforts.
“Our whole goal is to make things better than they were when we found them,” said Jim Williams, former public works director for the city of Hamilton. “We are very prideful about our accomplishments, and we know there are more good things to come.”
Meaningful recognition
Besides being the only municipality in Ohio that owns and operates all four of its major utilities, Hamilton also runs the largest municipally owned natural gas system in the Buckeye State. With two direct interstate pipeline connections to its suppliers — Texas Gas Transmission LLC and Texas Eastern Transmission LP — the city can serve approximately 23,000 meters through 275 miles of pipeline.
In June 2023, the public works team was awarded the System Operational Achievement Recognition — or SOAR — from the American Public Gas Association for its commitment to excellence in the areas of system integrity, system improvements, safety, and workforce development. The city was among 25 public works departments and utilities across the nation to earn Silver status from the 750-member organization, and because the distinction is voted on by peers on the APGA Operations and Safety Committee, Williams said it makes the achievement even more meaningful.
“This is the second time that we have earned this recognition, and I couldn’t be more proud of what our personnel does for the community in terms of safety and reliability,” he said. “They respond 24/7 to gas odor and carbon monoxide calls, and because they have an app that allows them to respond so quickly, they often beat the fire department to the location, clear the building, confirm the presence of underground utilities and grade the leak.”
In addition to the SOAR distinction, the city also received one of Government Fleet Magazine’s Leading Fleets Awards. Co-produced by the American Public Works Association and sponsored by Ford Pro, the award recognizes those operations that are performing at a high level in fleet leadership, competitiveness, planning for the future and overcoming challenges. With over 800 assets managed by Hamilton’s public works department, including police cruisers, fire engines, ambulances, utility vehicles, mowers, sweepers and more, it is important that the fleet management team be among the best of the best.
“This is the second award that our fleet management department has received, and I am pleased that their efforts continue to be recognized. I have five world-class technicians under one roof, which is unheard of, and each of them has over 22 certifications, which they have completed on their own. This is the kind of team we have. They want to better themselves because they want to strive for excellence in their work.”
Intentionally different
The city itself received a redevelopment award from the Ohio City and County Management Association for its Spooky Nook project, a $165 million transformation of the former Champion Paper Mill into one of the largest indoor-outdoor sports complexes in the United States. The site also includes a fitness center, convention center hotel and other amenities. Before its 2022 opening, the development served as a stimulus for reinvestment in the community and led to several new and expanded businesses in the Hamilton area.
Hamilton’s public works department oversees more than 800 assets, including police cruisers, fire engines, ambulances, mowers and specialty vehicles, so the team must be well-versed in a variety of makes and models. 
Hamilton’s public works and utilities department merged in 2017 to become the Department of Infrastructure. In addition to taking care of the streets, the department oversees utility distribution including water, stormwater and electricity and gas. 
Life is never dull for the Hamilton’s public works team. This crew is working to put things in place below the street level so that the traffic above can run smoothly.
Williams said that the development has been a game changer for the city and he is proud of the role that his department played in making sure that all of the utilities were connected and the groundwork was in place to bring the facility to life.
“For years it was nothing more than a brownfield, and now it is this incredible, beautiful sports facility,” he said. “It’s amazing what the Department of Infrastructure has been able to do.”
Maddie Watkins, public communications specialist for the city of Hamilton, said she moved to Hamilton from Toledo less than a year ago and has been “blown away” by what the city has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time. She said the men and women who work for the city are constantly striving to make it the best it can be for everyone who calls Hamilton home. “Hamilton is intentionally different, and it shows,” she said. “People work here, live here, and play here and they have a lot of pride in their community. You see that pride everywhere you look. The people who work to keep our city running are focused on excellence, not awards, but it is nice to see them recognized for all of that hard work and we are so proud of them.”
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