Elect Joe Sova for
Midland County Drain Commissioner
- Make a Difference -
VOTE NOVEMBER 3
IN PERSON OR ABSENTEE
A Distinct Identity
I know that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives.
When I retired from the City of Midland as its Utilities Director, I knew I wanted to continue my public stewardship and put my flooding and drainage concerns into action as your next Midland County Drain Commissioner.
Relevant Work Experience
Making A Difference
Utilities Director (Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Landfill, Renewable Energy)
(2016 - 2019)
City of Midland, Michigan
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Full management responsibility for all utility functions and operations including utility billing, the City’s water treatment plant (48 MGD), water distribution system (400 miles), wastewater treatment plant (18 MGD), wastewater collections (200 miles), storm water management (190 miles), solid waste landfill, renewable energy plant (3.2 MW), and environmental, utilizing 65 employees.
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Facilitated the preparation of department’s $28 million multi-year financial and capital budgets.
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Performed water rate analysis and prepared water and wastewater rates, fees and charges.
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Monitored regulatory requirements and proposed changes and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations; prepares and submitted reports as required by Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.
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Coordinated and implemented City’s technical input regarding utilities for specifications, project design, plan review, ordinances, resolutions, policies, and contract administration.
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Communicated with developers and industrial, commercial, and residential customers to ensure service needs are being met.
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Selected, trained, motivated, and evaluated assigned personnel; provided or coordinated staff training; worked with employees to correct deficiencies; implemented discipline and termination procedures to assure the effective use of all personnel, equipment, and facilities.
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Represented the City on the Midland County Hazard Mitigation Committee – administered the Hazard Mitigation Plan; represented City in the event the County Emergency Manager activates the Emergency Operations Center.
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Served as technical advisor to the City Manager and City Council on utility and environmental issues, City Ordinance amendments, new programs, and major policy changes.
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Represented the City on the Michigan Municipal League’s Energy and Environment Legislative Policy Committee.
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Chaired the City’s Risk Management Committee; reviewing and classifying personal injury and property incidents; provided periodic reporting, making recommendations to obviate risk and influence the safety culture to reduce severity and frequency of incidents.
Assistant to Utilities Director / Utilities Budget Analyst (1998 - 2016)
City of Midland, Michigan
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Planned and directed work of staff in the water office relating to permitting, new water services, coordination of field work, billing, reporting, and customer service functions for 19,000 retail, wholesale, and industrial accounts – over 75,000 utility bills mailed annually; payroll oversight, water contract administration; personnel recruitment, training, and evaluations.
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Prepared multi-year financial and capital budgets, on behalf of the Utilities Director.
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Prepared communications and presentations for City Council; receiving and filing reports, purchasing initiatives, bid awards, budget amendments, contracts, and amendments to City Ordinances.
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Department Head authority to coordinate funding transfers and assist division superintendents and supervisors in all financial aspects of their operations, including analysis, reporting, and purchasing initiatives, while improving process flow, information retrieval time, and inter-departmental relations.
Marketing / Planning Consultant
(1997 - 1998)
Walbro Corporation - Cass City, Michigan
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Coordinated and prepared $100 million global sales budget and forecast for the small engine division involving entities in five countries.
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Automated sales reporting and analysis package.
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Provided product profitability, pricing, and volume reporting and analysis for over 200 products
Senior Marketing Analyst / Financial & Credit Risk Analyst
(1990 - 1995)
HSBC/Household International - Prospect Heights, Illinois
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Product Manager for national and regional real estate mail campaigns, achieving 20% reduction in turn-around time with 25% increase in net response rates.
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Project Manager for the design and implementation of a specialty reporting and analysis system, reducing the need for several bankruptcy specialists. Mailed over 500,000 solicitation pieces per year.
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Supervised a management information systems group in the development and automation of collections reporting and analysis.
Professional Activities
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Leadership Midland (Class of 2017)
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Our Community Listens participant (2018)
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Certified Landfill Manager – Solid Waste Association of North America
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Certified Storm Water Operator – State of Michigan
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Certification of Training in Damage Assessment – State of Michigan
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FEMA Emergency Management Institute Certificates
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IS-100.pwb, IS-200.b, IS-300, IS-700.a, IS-800.b
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Chaired (8 years) – City of Midland Risk Management Committee
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Member – Midland County Hazard Mitigation Committee
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Member – Saginaw-Midland Municipal Water Supply Corporation’s Water Advisory Committee
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Member – Michigan Municipal League’s Energy and Environment Legislative Policy Committee
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Member – American Water Works Association
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Member – Solid Waste Association of North America
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Loaned Executive – United Way of Midland County Giving Campaign
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2015 Torch Bearer Award Recipient
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Logistics Coordinator (10 years) – Midland Blooms Annual Community Flower Planting Event
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President – Somerset Pines Homeowners Association
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Public Schools Guest Teacher
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Past Treasurer – Friends of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
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Past Treasurer – Edwin and Helen Blake Foundation
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Past Player Agent – Midland Baseball Association
Much support is needed to run for public office. Please consider a monetary donation today.
Send a check or money order to:
Joe Sova for Drain Commissioner
P.O. Box 2201
Midland, Michigan 48641-2201
Contact: josephjsova@yahoo.com
