The city of Elgin has created a Department of Neighborhood Services, whose purpose will be to consolidate, centralize and streamline non-emergency services and “to help strengthen and improve quality of life in all of Elgin’s neighborhoods.”

Colby Basham is the  director of Elgin’s new Department of Neighborhood Services. (CREDIT: city of Elgin)

Elgin City Manager Rick Kozal announced the organizational change in a Wednesday (May 31, 2017) news release, naming former 311 Citizen Services Director Colby Basham as the department’s director.

According to the release, the Department of Neighborhood Services will centralize non-emergency city services provided by 311, code compliance, rental licensing, public health and issues related to parking and traffic.

“Consolidating these services into a unified department focused on neighborhood concerns will better ensure timely and effective city action,” Kozal said.

The Department of Neighborhood Services brings together many neighborhood-centric services and initiatives that require collaboration across multiple city departments. Issues that previously were handled within one department, such as code compliance, or by committee, such as parking or traffic complaints, will now have focused oversight and coordination.

“The city’s progress with technology and data reveals greater opportunities to solve not only current issues, but to also identify emerging problems before they escalate,” Kozal said. “Colby’s unique combination of skills and institutional knowledge makes him the ideal candidate to address the interconnectedness of issues at a neighborhood level.”

As Elgin’s 311 citizen services director, Basham was instrumental in starting the department. He helped deploy the city’s customer relationship management system, led citywide electrical aggregation efforts and served as point-person for the city’s neighborhood traffic and parking committee.

Basham started at the city in 2010 as the underground utility superintendent in the Public Services Department. Prior to his work in local government, Basham spent more than 20 years in the private sector working in the construction and building industry, where he focused on project management, sales, customer service and process improvement.

“I am excited about taking on the new challenges of the Department of Neighborhood Services and look forward to working with staff and the community to maintain and improve the community’s appearance and enhance the quality of life for the residents of Elgin,” Basham said.

For more information about the city of Elgin visit cityofelgin.org or dial 311 (847-931-6001 if outside of Elgin).

SOURCE: city of Elgin News Release

About the city of Elgin

Nestled along the banks of the Fox River, Elgin, Illinois is approximately 38 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and is home to over 110,000 people. The growing city enjoys ready access to public transportation, diverse housing stock and a mix of commercial establishments. Many national and international businesses have taken advantage of Elgin’s close proximity to the Elgin-O’Hare Tollway and to the “Golden Corridor of Technology and Commerce” along Interstate-90. A recent recipient of the Governor’s Hometown Award, Elgin features a nationally acclaimed library system, an array of healthcare options, and educational opportunities for all ages. Residents and visitors enjoy a thriving cultural arts community, world-class parks, historical museums and over 200 places of worship. This vibrant, diverse community is a registered Cities of Service to recognize its volunteer-rich community and history of civic engagement.