Rhonda Rice Email and Phone Number

Edited and recrafted the City of Herington’s Comprehensive Plan, 2024, to include a Future Land Use Map and Herington statistics and project outcomes normally used in a comprehensive plan. Review and rule on zoning issues and ordinances affecting housing and land use. Research housing initiatives, economic development strategies, and tourism related land use concepts. Focus on developing partnerships with Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation to pursue economic development and housing initiatives.

Market and promote Herington as a destination to play, work, and live. Partner with local community organizations through advertising and donations to promote events and support local business. Partner with the City of Herington, Flint Hills Regional Council, Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation, and Kansas Main Street on projects that will increase the desirability and livability of Herington. As a volunteer, I am involved in grant writing on behalf of Visit Herington! for ourselves and other local organizations and the City of Herington.Grants awarded: Kansas Dept. of Commerce: • Tourism Marketing grant, 2023• Attraction Development Grant, partner Discs Unlimited, LLC, awardee, 2023• Public Arts and Mural Grant, partner Herington Revitalization Committee, awardee, 2024• Rural Champion grant, partner City of Herington, awardee, 2024. Community Foundation of Dickinson County• Pocket Park Revitalization project, partner City of Herington, 2024• Window Cling project, partner City of Herington and USD 487, 2024 AARP Capacity Building Micro-Grant, partner VFW Post 1281, awardee, 2024 EPA Brownfield Grant, Flint Hills Regional Council grantee/administrator, project award to City of Herington, partner Visit Herington!, 2024

Division Manager of the Solid Waste and Recycling Collections Division of the Public Works Department for the Columbus Consolidated Government. The division is responsible for the collection of all household garbage, recycling, yard waste and bulk waste for the city of Columbus, GA.Manage, direct, and supervise the day-to-day operations of the division. Monitors employees, time, equipment, and resources to ensure that work is performed efficiently. Inspects collection routes and directs changes as needed. Responds to customer complaints; resolves problems. Carries out a continuous effort to improve operations, processes, and technology. Coordinates with vehicle maintenance for repairs and preventive maintenance of division vehicles. Research new vehicle automation technology for future purchase, including containerization of waste options. Reviews route adjustments necessary for automation collections.Assist in the management of the Integrated Waste Fund annual budget creation and actuals. Analyzes and develops major requirements for finances, equipment, facilities, and personnel for waste collection and disposal. Administer division budget. Assisted Public Works Deputy Director with Solid Waste Management Plan, rate study and results. Performs cost of services analysis and makes recommendations for fee adjustments. Research new recycling and waste collection programs and practices; writes plans of findings for grants and funding. Attends meetings with Integrated Waste Team, including Keep Columbus Beautiful Executive Director, to promote recycling events and to coordinate recycling and waste collection advertising; attends other applicable meetings.Supervises the coordination of the division’s drivers' training, continuous improvement classes, training for new employees, and training for employees at the Muscogee County Prison. Interviews prospective employees; counsels and disciplines personnel.

Analyze spending trends, create annual graphs, spreadsheets, tables, graphics, and summary text to provide information in regard to portions of the Annual Operating Budget. Plan and perform trend analysis and revenue projects; perform analysis of operating position and fund balance. Analyze monthly departments' funding requests; assesses needs with regard to stated Management Plans. Prepare and publish the annual Budget Book summary document of the Adopted Operating and Capital Budgets. Recommend annual operating budgets for assigned departments including anticipated revenue and projected expenditures. Verify City Council purchasing agendas, travel, and commodity approval items as assigned; assist departments in the preparation of agenda items. Perform special projects requiring research and written reports including responses to employee suggestions and inquiries from the public and management personnel. Review and analyze year-to-date revenue summary and expenditure summary for assigned departments; determines problem areas, contacts departments to initiate corrective action. Other duties include preparing overtime reports of budgetary issues and concerns for each assigned department. Train others in policies and procedures including computer financial computer applications; assists with troubleshooting as necessary.

Experienced educator with eight years in adult business and computer application education. Key goal is excellent results through student successes. Courses include Business Fundamentals, Dreamweaver, PhotoShop, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and Computer Keyboarding.Past Lead instructor for Computer Keyboarding and curriculum upgrade for MS PowerPoint 2013. Acting lead, including curriculum development, for Computer Keyboarding with a staff of six to eight instructors per term. Curriculum and online class development for PowerPoint 2013. Responsible for assignment assessment and student evaluations.

Facilitation, organization and development of fiscal budget for the department’s $40+ million operating budget, and review of the $27 - $40 million Capital budget. Provided financial analysis on operating budget expenditures, worked with each of the department’s five divisions to reconcile at quarterly budget check points. Provided data to staff on infrastructure projects and assisted in presentations to the City Council.Management Team member for City of Springfield Development and Public Works Department working with division managers, department Director, Deputy Director, and department’s Office Supervisor to provide leadership for the organization. Provided strategic planning connecting department’s major activities of infrastructure operations, construction, and preservation, new development activities, existing building permitting, and planning projects, aligning to City Council goals.Project Manager working with staff at all levels on upgrading processes, including implementing electronic document storage, researching Council directed actions, facilitating upgrades to municipal fees and charges, and development of code and permit enforcement processes, including adjustments to municipal code. Leader in City-wide organizational projects working with Network Talent model to facilitate department reorganizations, union labor negotiations, diversity efforts, and staff training.Management of City franchise and utility license development, supervision, and renewals for telecommunication providers and right of way users within the city limits. Incorporates fiscal management for regional fiber consortium and development of broadband fiber mapping, working in partnership with city utility and regional government entities.

High School and Junior High educator for thirteen years with a desire to increase student knowledge through the use of technology and various learning style techniques. A trainer for school district staff tying K-12 curriculum to the use of technology in the classroom, including hardware and software uses. Curriculum development and specialization in computer applications, entrepreneurship; small business ownership, sports and entertainment marketing, and website development. College Technical Preparation opportunities for students to gain community college credits through alignment of computer application course curriculum with area community college. Design followed the Oregon State approved Professional Technical programs.Advisor/Manager, student operated businesses, Golf Oregon and Shot of Ohh!! Organized and operated an existing student business which allowed scholarship opportunities through product sales via outreach to private golf courses and to Oregon high schools. Created an additional student operated business for business internship and scholarship opportunities in a remote rural area of Oregon. Created business internship opportunities for students through community partnerships. Provided extensive marketing and sales experiences to the Sports Marketing students by connecting with the Portland Trail Blazers marketing department. Advisor/Teacher of the school website, newspaper, and annual, using a cross curricular approach and integrating 7-12 grade students. Upgraded the school’s technology and software to provide for computer-based publications. Created the gateway to better communications with community and world. Union representative for McKenzie Education Association. Serving in various roles as President, Vice President, and Treasurer for 10 years. Represented local union during contract negotiations and at the regional level as President and Past President.