City announces new Utilities Director

The City of Broken Arrow has promoted Timothy Robins to Director of Utilities.

Robins has been with the city since 2015, serving as the Construction Division Manager for the Engineering and Construction Department.

"I am happy to announce Timothy Robins' transfer and promotion to the position of Director of Utilities, and I look forward to observing how our Utilities Department flourishes under his leadership," City Manager Michael Spurgeon said.

Spurgeon praised the existing Utilities Department employees and said the team needed a new leader following former director Charles Vokes' retirement in early January.

The Utilities Department has eight divisions: Administration, Water Systems Repair and Construction, Water Resources, Water Distribution, Water Treatment Plant, Meter Services, Reclaimed Water Collection, and the Water Reclamation Plant.

"As an experienced civil engineer with a background in utilities and construction, Tim's expertise will be crucial as we make the infrastructure improvements necessary to maintain and meet the needs of a growing Broken Arrow community," Spurgeon said.

Robins has multi-state experience in the private sector, from building backyard drainage projects to constructing a $900 million hospital following the Joplin tornado in 2011.

But to say Robins is excited about his new role would be an understatement.

"I've been working with the Utilities group as the construction manager for the last nine years, and every interaction I've had with them has been amazing!" Robins said. "They are an upbeat group, and they are the lifeblood of the city. It's exciting that I'm joining them in providing water and wastewater services for our citizens."

Robins says he has always felt drawn to the water, so to speak.

"Before I came to the city, I built water and wastewater treatment plants from the ground up in six different states," Robins said. "It's exciting to have the opportunity to hone in on a specific skill set, take that knowledge, and see what we can build here." In fact, when Robins arrived in Broken Arrow, the city was initiating service from a new water plant.

"I walked in on day one, and there was a whole list of issues to troubleshoot," Robins said. "It was amazing to dive into all the nuances of a water treatment plant and utilize my experience from constructing and activating the water treatment facility."

Robins earned a Bachelor in Civil Engineering with a Structural Emphasis from Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla, Missouri, and a Master of Engineering Management from the University of Arkansas. With Robins's education and experience, he understands and can communicate about water systems from concept and funding through the engineering design, construction, and maintenance cycles.

"Fortunately, in my years of experience, I've worked in a multitude of entities," he said. "And this new role is the culmination of all those efforts."

Broken Arrow is currently exploring options to add another water source to its supply besides the Verdigris River. In November 2023, the Broken Arrow Municipal Authority (BAMA) trustees approved the Grand River Water Supply Study. This study marks the first step towards transitioning to the Grand River as another water source for the city. The city's goal is to have the new water source producing 12.6 MGD within the next few years.

"As Broken Arrow continues to grow, so will the need for additional natural resources such as water coupled with infrastructure improvements," Robins said. "It's incredible to get in on the ground floor of what my kids and grandkids will rely on in the future."

Robins and his wife Melissa share a passion for public service. She is an adjunct biology professor at OSU-IT. As a father of two young boys, Robins sees the importance of building resiliency in the public water supply for the next 50 years.

"I'm relatively young, and so I look forward to a long career here, but I really want to build something for my kids' kids-way down the road. And it's exhilarating to be part of that," Robins concluded.