DeKalb County’s water director announced his resignation as the county responds to a federal mandate to upgrade its sewer system.
Watershed Management Director Francis Kung’u submitted his letter of resignation Friday and said he plans to start his own construction and engineering company. His resignation takes effect March 11.
Kung’u’s departure comes as the county is preparing to hire contractors to do $1.35 billion in water and sewer upgrades. The county plans to issue a request for proposals in the next few months and hopes to start work in June.
Kung’u said Tuesday that it was too early to say whether his company will bid on any of the projects.
“We used to do mostly subdivisions, stores and churches,” Kung'u told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, referring to a construction and engineering business he ran in Alabama before coming to work for DeKalb in January 2007.
In December, the federal Environmental Protection Agency issued a consent decree, fining DeKalb for more than 800 raw sewage spills in five years. The decree also mandates the county upgrade its sewer system.
In response, the County Commission has authorized the $1.35 billion in upgrades to be funded by increases in water and sewer rates.
“I just finished negotiating a consent decree and a rate increase,” Kung'u said. “I want to have fun. It’s time for a new chapter,”
No decision has been made on Kung’u’s replacement.
Last month, Kung’u was cleared of sexual harassment allegations. In September, the county hired an outside attorney to investigate Kung’u after a DeKalb employee testified during an employment hearing that she was sexually harassed by Kung’u. The investigation found no evidence to support the allegations, county officials said.
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