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December 15. 2009 6:00AM

Brandon’s new city administrator, Bryan Read, is learning his job from the man who spent the past 23 years in that very position.

Appointed by the council in October, Read began his new duties here Dec. 1, working alongside Dennis Olson. Olson will continue to work full-time for the city until April 1, at which time he will go to part-time status.

“Having Dennis here is a tremendous asset,” Read said during his second day on the job. “His wealth of knowledge about what’s going on, you just can’t put a price on that.”
In his first weeks, Read will acquaint himself with the community, city policies and planned projects.

“The biggest hurdle for is me is getting up to speed on stuff. There’s so much activity going on here, it’s a busy city,” he said.

Olson admits it feels a bit strange grooming Read for a job he’s dedicated the past 23 years to. “I’ve been around for a long time, but there’s enough work for everybody,” Olson said. “The one thing I didn’t realize two years ago when we hired Nick (Lanning) is that there was too much work for just one.”

Lanning was hired as the assistant city administrator in September 2007, with the intent he would likely be appointed city administrator. That plan fell apart when Lanning vacated the job this past July, due to a move to Texas.

Read comes into his new position during a relatively quiet time in city affairs. “It’s calm mainly because of the economy. It’s definitely less now than it was two years ago,” Olson said.

After April 1, Olson will focus his energies on setting up the city street light program.
“That street light thing is a big deal and it is not getting done right now,” he said.

The plan is that the city will assume complete responsibility for the streetlights instead of Sioux Valley Energy, who has been overseeing the program long before Brandon was even incorporated as a city. Once the city takes over, the city will add the monthly street light charge to its utility bill. The city will also take charge of maintenance.

“The advantage to that is there will be quicker action when a light goes out,” Olson said.

The program is a potential revenue-maker for the city, and could possibly cover Olson’s part-time salary.

“It won’t be a lot of money, but it will be enough money to support it,” he said.
Olson also plans to give Brandon more presence at meetings the city has affiliations with.

“We are a big enough player in the Sioux Falls metropolitan area and we need to be recognized with some of that,” he said.

Read is no stranger to city administration. He brings 20 years of related experience to the job, including an eight-year stint with both the City of Milford, Iowa and Montgomery, Minn., and four years with the City of Kenyon, Minn.
“I’m excited,” Read said. “From the staff and the people I’ve met so far, I don’t think I could be happier.”

Read and his wife, Nicolle, are parents to a 9-year-old stepdaughter, a 5-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter. Once their home is sold in Milford, they plan to reside in Brandon.