Nearly four years to the day after coming to Emporia, Frank Abart is departing.
Emporia’s public works director has accepted an identical position in Bonner Springs. He tells KVOE News he has mixed emotions about the decision.
Abart replaced Ron Childers, who had served 28 years as a city employee, including 12 as director. He came to Emporia from Bellingham, Wash., in January 2015. He had been the public works director for Whatcom County since 2007. He was the public works director and assistant director for Boone County, Mo., from 1986 to 2000 and then was the Missouri Department of Transportation’s director of general services from 2000 to 2005.
During Abart’s time, the city invested around $45 million in a series of projects, including planned and unplanned improvements to the city’s water main network, in part due to the aging network and the active clay soils in the area, as well as major upgrades to the water treatment plant in northwest Emporia and the wastewater treatment plant in south Emporia. He says he’s pleased to oversee those projects — saying the system is in better shape than it was when he arrived — and he’s disappointed his time is coming to an end before the wastewater project is completed.
Abart also says he would have liked to see the 1-million-gallon water tower in southeast Emporia built, but he will have to watch the progress of that work from afar.
City Manager Mark McAnarney called Abart a “tireless advocate” for improving Emporia’s infrastructure and for developing his staff.
Abart will have similar duties in Bonner Springs, although his new department does not have to oversee airport operations as he does here. He says he’s looking forward to having additional staff at his disposal once he moves.
Abart’s last day is Jan. 11. The city is now advertising for a new public works director.
Statement from the city of Emporia
City Manager Mark McAnarney would like to announce that he recently received the resignation of Emporia Public Works Director Frank Abart who has served in that capacity since early 2015. Mr. Abart will assume the same role for the City of Bonner Springs, Kansas. His new position will provide him similar professional duties and also allow for he and his wife Karen to be closer to family in the Johnson County area.
Mr. McAnarney stated, “Mr. Abart has done an outstanding job for the city during his tenure. He has overseen approximately $45 million in public improvement projects ranging from the planning and construction of the new Wastewater Treatment Plant to major enhancements to the Water Plant and distribution system. Mr. Abart has been a tireless advocate for the improvement of the city’s infrastructure and the professional development of his staff. We will miss Frank but wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor and will always be thankful for his dedication and effort in making Emporia a better place to live and work.”
The City of Emporia will be advertising for a Public Works Director immediately.
