Business View - February 2015 117
as the state’s 64th county.
The paperwork became legal on Nov. 15, 2001, but
the inflow hasn’t stopped.
Census totals of 7,261 in 1970 and 20,730 in 1980
were replaced by counts of 24,638 and 38,272 by
1990 and 2000, respectively, and the first nine years
as a consolidated city/county saw those figures ex-
pand once again – with a 46-percent increase boost-
ing population to 55,889 by 2010.
Such a prolific pace for expansion creates behind-the-
scenes challenge for people like Katie Allen, the city/
county engineer who’s in charge of a divisional staff
– within the Community Development Department
– that’s tasked with monitoring engineering require-
ments for design and construction of street and traffic
systems, water systems, sanitary sewer, park systems
and drainage facilities.
Another division she oversees is responsible for capi-
tal improvement projects, and it’s the uniqueness of
the way the city/county entity functions that’s kept her
there for what’ll be 20 years in June.
LOGISTICS