Familiar face takes reigns of public works department

WORLAND — The transition into a new City of Worland public works superintendent has been smoother since Nick Kruger is familiar with city operations and city crew members.

Kruger, a former building official for the city, took the reigns of the public works department on Monday, April 26.

Kruger grew up in the Denver area and began working in the oil and gas industry, which eventually led him to Worland in 2009. He worked as the city’s building official in 2015 and 2016, leaving with hopes of working toward a degree in computer programming.

He said, however, the plans did not work out. He got a job as the Big Horn County planner and GIS manager where he worked for two years prior to the public works position opening up after Brian Burky resigned in February.

He said he was not looking for the opportunity but when he saw the job posting he saw it as a chance to not have to commute and go back to work for the City of Worland.

“I didn’t know if I had the right background but I applied and interviewed. It was the smoothest interview I have had. I felt it was intended or destiny,” Kruger said.

The public works department that Kruger oversees includes streets, sanitation, water, sewer, parks and the cemetery.

Kruger said he views his role as supervisory to make sure the field supervisors have the tools they need to provide the tools the crews need to get the work done for the city.

“I need to make sure they have what they need to do their jobs,” he said.

He has hit the job running with city crews working on numerous projects including street sweeping, filling potholes, preparing parks for spring and summer, summer staffing and getting ready for several one-cent street improvement projects.

He said they are also working on moving the irrigation system at Newell Sargent Park from city water to irrigation water.

Kruger said he encourages city residents to contact him at city hall with any concerns or comments. “I am open to any feedback,” he said.

Nick and his wife Jackie have two children, son Christopher and daughter Aubree.