Brett Daniel

Not long after he started working for Fort Dodge in 2006, City Manager David Fierke was in his office when a water meter reader came in.

That meter reader was Brett Daniel. He was an entry-level employee who walked into the city manager’s office and informed Fierke that he wanted to do more for the community.

“From that moment on, I just loved his determination,” Fierke told the City Council Monday.

He nominated Daniel, who is now an operations manager in the Public Works Department, to be the next public works director. The City Council unanimously approved his selection Monday.

Daniel will become the public works director on June 4. His starting salary will be $84,393.57.

He will replace Merle Porter, who will retire May 31 after 25 years of service.

“The city is primed,” Daniel told the council. “We’re ready for growth. We’re ready for prosperity.”

He said he “can’t wait” to see what kind of positive impact the Public Works Department can make in the city.

In 2006, he joined the city staff as a water meter reader. In 2012, he was promoted to superintendent of meters and services. He replaced Dean Hill in that position. Hill is now a councilman who made the motion Monday night to make Daniel the public works director.

In 2014, Daniel became an operations manager in the Public Works Department.

“He succeeded at everything we put in front of him,” Fierke said.

He is a native of Fort Dodge. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School and earned an associate degree from Iowa Central Community College.

The Public Works Department has two operations managers, Daniel and Doug Barkema. When Daniel becomes public works director, his operations manager post will be eliminated.