Effective January 1, 2016 Scott M. Schmidt, has been appointed as Highway Commissioner. Schmidt has been serving as interim Highway Commissioner for approximately six months following the former Highway Commissioner’s resignation in June.
“During his stint as interim, Schmidt has hired five new employees, filling the highway laborer positions within the department. He has effectively demonstrated his ability to not only fulfill the role of Highway Commissioner but perform his duties in a collaborative and innovative manner,” said County Administrator, Joshua Schoemann. “We are extremely excited to have him on our team and are confident the move well positions us to serve the community now and in the future.”
“This is an exciting time to join the leadership team in Washington County,” said Scott Schmidt. “I am very grateful for the opportunity, and I especially want to thank the County Board and Transportation Committee for their support. I look forward to continue serving the County, and working with the highway department staff.”
The Highway Commissioner is responsible for administering all maintenance and construction activities of the County’s road and highway system, public transit services and managing all highway and transit staff. The department currently houses over 50 employees.
“Schmidt brings over 25 years of experience with him to the role and a vast array of knowledge that will be critical to properly maintaining and developing our transportation infrastructure,” added Schoemann.
Schmidt is a licensed Professional Engineer and Professional Land Surveyor and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in transportation and geotechnical engineering from UW Platteville. Prior to his appointment as Highway Commissioner, Schmidt served as the County Engineer and Surveyor since 2001.
His duties during this time included project management, design, maintenance of the public land survey system, bridge inspection, non-metallic mining reclamation, erosion control and storm water management oversight. Schmidt is a Washington County native and currently lives in Germantown with his wife and two children.