City of Manhattan Public Works Release
City Manager Danielle Dulin announced today that Assistant Public Works Director Brian Johnson, P.E., who also serves as City Engineer, has been promoted to full-time director of the Public Works Department, starting May 12.
“We are very excited to appoint Brian Johnson as our new Public Works Director,” Dulin said. “His extensive experience within the department, engineering expertise, and established relationships in our community make him uniquely qualified to lead our public works efforts. I’m confident his leadership will enhance the services we provide and move our city forward.”
The Public Works Department provides services and facilities that are vital to the Manhattan community’s health, safety, and welfare, including streets, traffic control devices, and storm drainage and flood protection systems.
Under the direction of the Deputy City Manager, the Director of Public Works is responsible for leading, planning, and managing all activities and operations of the department’s 75 full-time employees, its three divisions, and a nearly $50 million annual budget.
Assistant City Manager Wyatt Thompson, who has served as interim director of Public Works since August 18, 2024, will take over the assistant director role.
“Brian has served capably for 11 years as assistant public works director and has demonstrated over the past year and a half that he is ready to take on a full leadership position over this department,” said Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers. “I have every confidence in him to excel and thrive in this new role.”
Johnson will supervise the administrative support team, Engineering Division, Traffic Control Division, GIS, and Street, Fleet, and Stormwater operations.
“I’m honored to continue the legacy of exceptional service established by the public works directors who came before me,” he said.
“I look forward to advancing the Public Works Department in the delivery of safe, efficient, and cost-effective services to the City.”
Johnson graduated with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is a registered professional engineer in the Kansas, a member of the American Public Works Association, and a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Johnson was hired as Principal Civil Engineer for the City of Manhattan in October 2008. In that role, he played a key role in the Downtown Redevelopment project, levee certification, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility utilities relocation, and many different grant programs from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
In April 2014, Johnson was promoted to City Engineer. He has been responsible for planning, directing, managing, and overseeing all facets of operations, budget, and personnel within the Engineering Division, as well as overseeing the Public Works Capital Improvement Program, developing bids and specifications, and administering contracts for design and construction.
Prior to his time with the City of Manhattan, Johnson was employed as City Engineer for the City of Fremont, Nebraska, from 2001 to 2008 and previously was a plan review engineer for the City of Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1998 to 2001.
He and his wife, Gretchen, have called Manhattan home since 2008. They have two daughters, Sabrina and Lillian, and a son, Seth.
More information about the City can be found online at manhattanks.gov, or by following the City on Facebook @cityofmanhattan or X/Twitter @cityofmhk.
