“Because it’s a personnel matter, I’m unable to discuss it. David is no longer with us and we wish him all the best.”
— Huntsville Mayor Claude Doughty
HUNTSVILLE – The Town of Huntsville is being tight-lipped on why it has cut ties with its former executive director of public infrastructure.
A closed-session council meeting was held on Thursday, Feb. 7, in town hall and shortly afterward David Saunders was no longer listed as the executive director of public infrastructure on the town’s website.
Mayor Claude Doughty later confirmed that Saunders was no longer with the town, but said little else.
“We don’t talk about human resources matters such as that,” said Doughty. “Because it’s a personnel matter, I’m unable to discuss it. David is no longer with us and we wish him all the best.”
Doughty said that senior management staff will take over the workload until consultants finish their review of the public infrastructure department. The review began earlier this year, though it does not seem as though Saunders’ departure is connected to it.
The third-party departmental review is expected to be completed in six to eight weeks.
The town hired Saunders as a director on Jan. 16, 2012.
The position he held managed public works, town facilities and parks and cemeteries, among other responsibilities. The department also manages the largest portion of the town’s budget, making its
executive director arguably one of the most important staff members.
The town has had three public works directors and one public infrastructure director since 2007. The public infrastructure director position is the new name of the former public works director position. It was created after departmental reorganization in 2012.