Columbia has a new water boss

As Columbia continues a nearly billion-dollar campaign to improve its water and sewer systems – and specifically works to improve water customer care and perception – a new assistant city manager has been named to oversee Columbia Water services.

Clint Shealy, the city’s former waterworks superintendent, takes on the new leadership role, now overseeing his former boss, Joey Jaco, the city’s director of utility operations. Shealy’s new role expands his oversight across the city’s water, sewer and stormwater operations.

City leaders recently approved increases to water and sewer service rates and stormwater fees to help finance tens of millions of dollars in projects, including installing new water meters that should improve billing accuracy, leaders say.

Shealy’s promotion is the “first significant hiring decision” by city manager Teresa Wilson since the city adopted a new strategic plan earlier this year, Wilson said in a news release Wednesday.