LISA FREUND APPOINTED YAKIMA COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR
Board Also Announces Administrative Change to County Roads
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, December 20, 2018
Contacts: Ron Anderson, Chair, Board of Yakima County Commissioners
509-574-1500
Lisa Freund, Yakima County Public Services
509-574-2300
YAKIMA - Yakima County Commissioners announced on Tuesday that they have appointed Lisa Freund Director of the Yakima County Public Services Department effective January 1, 2019.
Ms. Freund. currently the Senior Administrative Manager for Public Services, will take over as Director of one of the County,s largest departments with more than 100 employees, six divisions and a current operating budget of over $47 million. She has been charged by the Board to examine the development permitting and code enforcement processes and improve the customer service experience within the department. She replaces Vern Redifer, who retired in June."
Developers, builders and the public are our partners in community development," stated Commission Chair Ron Anderson. "We look to Lisa to implement changes that will lead to a seamless and predictable experience when customers apply for a permit."
Ms. Freund has served as Public Services Administrative Manager since 2004. Prior to that, she held several positions in Yakima County, serving as the Community Relations Manager to the Board of County Commissioners, and before that as a Long-Range Planner.
In a related move, Commissioners announced that the Transportation Department (County Roads) will now be under the Board's direct supervision. The move returns the oversight of Transportation Department to the Board of County Commissioners from Public Services. Accordingly,County Engineer Matt Pietrusiewicz, P.E., will report directly to the Board.
Commissioner Anderson noted that this shift will allow both the new Director and the County Engineer to focus on the critical services the department provides. "The Board is committed to improving customer service at all levels,"
he stated, adding, "we have an excellent team that will make that happen."
###