City of Junction City Departmental Report

Departmental Report Summary
Prepared by Katherine O’Shea - Public Information Officer & Marketing Director for the City of Junction City

Executive Summary

Over the past two weeks, City departments have maintained steady progress across infrastructure, operations, public safety, and community engagement initiatives.

Major highlights include:

• Public Works made significant progress on the Grant Avenue reconstruction project, repairing a 16” water main break, completing extensive paving work, and maintaining critical city services.

• Police Department responded to 621 calls for service, welcomed new officers, and continued strengthening community transparency through online updates.

• Fire Department completed annual equipment testing, participated in advanced training, and enhanced community readiness through Stop the Bleed and CPR education.

• Building & Codes issued 30 permits, conducted 116 inspections, and moved forward on key developments such as ECC and Jackson Landing.

• Parks & Recreation advanced park improvement projects, completed downtown beautification, and prepared for community events.

• Human Resources onboarded 11 new hires, received 77 applications, and continued HR modernization projects including onboarding automation and handbook updates.

• IT Department improved network reliability, installed new server redundancy systems, and provided technical support for City events.

• Public Information Officer increased outreach through social media, community outreach, student engagement, video production, and event coverage.

• Animal Shelter managed operations at full capacity, securing 14 adoptions while advancing facility planning for its new addition.

Together, these efforts reflect the City’s continued dedication to transparency, public service, and community growth.

Public Works Department

The Public Works Department maintained strong productivity and operational excellence across all divisions this week. Significant progress was made on the Grant Avenue paving project (approximately 400 tons of asphalt have been poured on Grant ave thus far), marking a key milestone in ongoing infrastructure improvements. The Utilities Division successfully repaired a major 16-inch water main break, while Traffic and Electrical crews continued essential maintenance on city infrastructure and public safety systems. Sanitation sustained consistent, high-volume collection service, and the Fleet Division kept City vehicles and equipment in top condition through preventive and corrective maintenance. Overall, the department demonstrated efficiency, reliability, and responsiveness to community needs while continuing to deliver critical city services.

Police Department

The Junction City Police Department maintained steady operational activity this week with 621 total calls for service. The department welcomed three new team members, conducted a successful swearing-in ceremony, and participated in community safety oversight at the No Kings Rally without incident. The Records Division implemented improvements to streamline public records tracking and continued recruitment efforts for key administrative and dispatch roles. Overall, the department remains focused on proactive service, professional development, and transparency within the community.

Fire Department

The Fire Department maintained steady operations and proactive community engagement this week with 62 total calls for service. Key accomplishments included completion of annual pump testing, participation in advanced training programs, progress on the department’s training site, and enhanced interagency coordination for emergency communications. The EMS Division continued expanding community safety through Stop the Bleed and CPR programs while improving logistics and preparedness. Fire prevention and investigation efforts also remain active, supporting the department’s mission of safety, readiness, and community outreach.

Building & Codes Department

The Building & Codes Department had a productive week with a high inspection volume and continued emphasis on code compliance throughout the community. Significant progress was made on major development projects such as the ECC, U-Haul facility, and Jackson Landing. The addition of a dedicated Grant Writer positions the department to secure critical funding for upcoming infrastructure and community improvement initiatives.

Parks & Recreation Department

The Parks & Recreation Department had a productive week focused on maintenance, facility improvement, and community programming. Major progress was made on park enhancements—including the new Bramlage Park field and Coronado tennis court resurfacing—while downtown beautification and seasonal closures were successfully completed. Spin City and the Community Center remain active community hubs, with upcoming events and programs promoting engagement and recreation for all ages.

Human Resources Department

The Human Resources Department experienced a strong month of recruitment and continued advancement in several major administrative projects. Key milestones include progress toward full onboarding automation, near completion of the updated City BlueBook, and preparation for upcoming year-end audits. With 11 new hires, several new applications received, and critical HR system upgrades underway, the department remains focused on improving efficiency, compliance, and employee support across all City departments.

Information Technology Department

The IT Department focused on strengthening network reliability, ensuring server redundancy, and providing event and user support across departments. The successful deployment of the Witness server and remediation at Fire Station 2 enhanced overall system stability. Continued efforts in staff training and professional development position the department to maintain efficient and resilient citywide technology operations.

Public Information Officer & Marketing Director

This week focused on community engagement, media production, and proactive communications. Key highlights included visiting Junction City Middle School to engage with students, supporting major community events like Match Day and the KEEP Tour, producing a retirement video for Ms. Moyer, and strengthening transparency through updated Google Business Profiles, social media outreach, and timely public notifications.

Animal Shelter

The Animal Shelter continues to face challenges related to overcapacity while maintaining strong adoption numbers and forward progress on facility improvements. Collaboration with mechanical engineers marks an important step toward the shelter expansion project. Despite recent setbacks with foster returns, staff remain dedicated to promoting successful adoptions and ensuring the well-being of all animals in the City’s care.

Total Animals Received: 23

Overall Summary

Across all departments, the City of Junction City demonstrated operational efficiency, strategic planning, and strong community connection. Major projects—from infrastructure repair to administrative modernization—are advancing on schedule, underscoring the City’s commitment to effective governance and public service.