The South Dakota Municipal League (SDML) Hall of Fame honors employees who have served municipalities in South Dakota for 20 or more years. Inductees are recognized at the fall SDML annual conference (Rapid City - October 3-6, 2023) during the Excellence in South Dakota Municipal Government Award Luncheon and in the November issue of the South Dakota Municipalities magazine.
The City of Spearfish has three inductees for 2023: Miles Burtzlaff, Bob Evridge, and Mark Williams.
Miles Burtzlaff – Water/Wastewater Utilities Superintendent, Spearfish, 20 Years – Miles Burtzlaff started his career with the City of Spearfish in May of 2003 as a water/wastewater utilities operator in training. He immediately began working toward his State of South Dakota Certifications and quickly progressed through the different levels of certification in wastewater collection, water distribution, and water treatment. Each of these certification levels equated to promotions within the City. In 2019, Miles was promoted to manage the Water/Wastewater Utility department as the superintendent. In one of Miles’s performance reviews, he is described as a top-notch leader who has developed a tightknit department of professionals. Miles’s disposition is one of strong ethics; he values trust and respect, has a positive outlook, is extremely hardworking, and delivers on his word. Miles is levelheaded, and this quality is essential for the pressure his department encounters in emergency situations. During his time with the City, Miles has become a local industry expert. This expertise has been crucial to the success of numerous largescale capital utility projects such as the Young Well, Golliher Water Storage Tank, Hansen Sewer Lift Station & Forcemain upsize, Ramsdell Utility Improvements, among many others. His knowledge and understanding of the City’s water system and gravity sewer collection system is unparalleled, and we are thankful he is part of our team!
Robert “Bob” Evridge – Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent, Spearfish, 20 Years – Bob started his career with the City of Spearfish in January of 2003 as the wastewater treatment facility superintendent. Bob worked for the City of Spearfish prior, from 1983 to 1986 as a seasonal employee, operator in training, and operator. Prior to his service with the City, Bob served four years in the United States Navy as a fireroom supervisor on the USS Haleakala from 1978-1982. Bob holds a Class IV Wastewater Treatment certification from the State of South Dakota. This level of knowledge helps him manage the operation of an extremely complicated plant that is essential to the City’s infrastructure. This plant has millions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure and requires an extremely well-organized plan that allows the staff to work safely and effectively. Plant decisions can affect the safety and well-being of the entire town, and wrong decisions could have catastrophic implicationsb both environmentally and physically. Bob has tremendous pride in this facility, and his pride shines through with the cleanliness of the plant and its curbside appeal. In one of Bob’s performance reviews, he is commended for his focus on excellence and his intellectual capability to adapt quickly. Bob’s positive outlook shines when it comes to his internal or external customer service. Bob has the historical knowledge and problem-solving skills to continue improving the plant as he prepares for future capacity and demand. Bob is a great leader who has developed a department of professional staff that enjoy being on his team. Bob is an industry expert, and Spearfish is extremely thankful to have him as part of our team!
Mark Williams – Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator III – Compliance Laboratory Technician, Spearfish, 20 Years – Mark started his career with the City of Spearfish in May of 2003 as a wastewater treatment facility operator I. He immediately began working toward his State of South Dakota Certifications and quickly progressed through the levels of state certification in wastewater treatment. He currently holds a Class IV Wastewater Treatment certification from the State of South Dakota. Mark spends approximately 70 percent of his time supporting our Surface Water Discharge permit. These duties include daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually sampling and analysis required to ensure South Dakota permit compliance. Mark has gained the trust of State of South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Mark participates in all the treatment plant special projects, and due to his historical knowledge, his ideas and workmanship are beneficial to these plant projects. Mark assists with other projects when the compliance laboratory testing is complete. Mark is the definition of internally motivated. Whatever challenge arises, Mark is willing to take it on and see it through to a successful outcome. He is a team player with an easy-going nature. Mark is an expert in laboratory compliance and has been an asset to the City of Spearfish Wastewater Treatment Facility!