Murfreesboro launches fourth new division in restructuring

Aug 27, 2018 at 08:00 am by Voice Wire


The City of Murfreesboro launched a fourth new division—the Community Services Division Monday, Aug. 27—as the City reorganizes its administrative structure to enhance customer service.

The Community Services Division incorporates the Parks and Recreation Department, Golf Department, Senior Center and Outside Agencies under the direction of Director Angela Jackson, who previously served as Parks director.

“Angela Jackson has demonstrated strong leadership in guiding the Parks and Greenway system both as director and assistant director since 2010,” City Manager Craig Tindall said.  “Angela’s success in managing one of the largest departments in terms of City employees and assets demonstrates her strong decision-making and leadership abilities.  The ability will serve her well as she oversees the new Community Services Division.” 

In addition to the identified City departments, the Community Services Division will be responsible for the formation of a Grants Administration program that will “provide structure to the budgetary allocation of funds to outside agencies by creating an application process, establishing objectives and performance measurements, and a reporting to Council that will assist Council in determining how the grants are benefiting the community,” added Tindall. The Arts Commission and the arts will also fall under her purview.

Jackson was named as director of the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department in December 2016 after serving as interim director.

As Parks director, Jackson has coordinated the management and operations of the City’s park system that includes approximately 1,238 acres, 29 sites, 74 buildings and more than $155 million in assets. The Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department has 75 full-time and 275 part-time/seasonal employees with an operating budget of approximately $12.5 million. 

Jackson began work for Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation Department in April 2001 as Assistant Program Coordinator for Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park. She has also served as Program Coordinator for the Murfreesboro Greenway System.

Jackson is a graduate of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. She is a graduate of the National Recreation and Parks Association Directors School and is a certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP) through the National Recreation and Parks Association.

As part of the reorganization, Nate Williams will be promoted from assistant director for the Parks and Recreation Department to director. Williams was appointed as assistant director in January 2017 after serving as recreation superintendent since 2011.

“Nate Williams has been an integral part of the strategic development of the Murfreesboro Parks and Greenway System,” said Tindall. “Nate has risen through the ranks from head lifeguard and aquatics coordinator to recreation superintendent maintaining and managing multiple facilities. I am confident in not only his knowledge and experience but also that his leadership and vision will continue our award-winning Parks system.”

Williams is a 2008 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the Jennings A. Jones College of Business. 

“Community Services is the fourth new division announced this summer with the implementation of the final Internal Services Division to be completed in September,” added Tindall. 

When completed, the process of reorganizing the City’s administrative structure will create five new divisions, plus the existing Police and Fire Rescue departments. The goal is to assure that coordination of process and workflow aligns with the increasing demands of a growing City.

In July, Tindall announced the new Development Services Division with the mission of enhancing the City’s economic development. The Public Works Division, launched in early August, stresses coordination, cooperation and oversight of the engineering, development and maintenance of streets and City projects. A new Utility Enterprises Division was launched August 17 to incorporate existing enterprises—Water Resources and Electric, and departments that will operate as self-sufficient enterprise funds, Solid Waste, and Municipal Airport. A new Internal Services Division to include Information Technology, Human Resources, Broadcast Communications (CityTV) and Asset Management, will be announced within the next month.

Under the reorganization plan, the current 24 City departments will report to seven division executive directors, including the police and fire chiefs. This structure shifts authority over operating decisions closer to operations and enhances cost efficiency with the goal of achieving excellent customer service. The five new division heads will report directly to City Manager Tindall.

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