City of Watertown Spotlights Four Dedicated Employees in #WatertownWorks Series

City of Watertown Honors Four Valued Employees in the #WatertownWorks Series.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The City of Watertown is continuing its #WatertownWorks series by spotlighting four employees whose diverse roles—from finance and police work to street maintenance and library services—help keep the community operating smoothly every day.

This week, the City features:

·         Kim Stricherz, Assistant Finance Officer

·         Jan Dailey, Operator I, Street Division of Public Works

·         Sarah Overvaag, Children’s Library Specialist, Watertown Regional Library

·         Kirk Ellis, Captain, Watertown Police Department

Kim Stricherz: Keeping City Finances on Track

Kim Stricherz is the Assistant Finance Officer and has served the City for 4.5 years. She is responsible for managing grants, fixed assets, and insurance, as well as maintaining the City's accounting records and reconciliations. Kim enjoys working with the public and values the teamwork across City departments.

Outside of work, she is an avid reader and crafter who loves taking spontaneous family road trips with no destination in mind. Her favorite local restaurant is Second Street Station. Kim’s fun fact is that she previously taught preschool and still enjoys seeing excitement in a child’s eyes.

Jan Dailey: Maintaining Watertown’s Roadways

Serving the City for seven years, Jan Dailey is an Operator I in the Public Works Street Division. His essential responsibilities include plowing snow, blading alleys and gravel roads, and performing hot-mix patches to repair and maintain city streets. Jan takes pride in working outdoors to keep Watertown's roadways safe.

Jan’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, and gardening. When asked for a fun fact, the self-proclaimed shy employee revealed that he claims to be shy. His favorite local spot is Taco John’s.

Sarah Overvaag: Championing Young Readers

As the Children’s Library Specialist at the Watertown Regional Library, Sarah Overvaag has been with the library for a total of eleven years. Sarah provides services for children from birth to age 12, including managing story times and after-school programming, and purchasing books. She is passionate about introducing children to the joy of reading and engaging with their families.

Sarah is proud to have earned her state library certification and become a certified Playmaker, a role that uses play and optimism to help children heal from trauma. A fun fact about Sarah is that she has a twin brother. Her favorite local dining spots include Dempsey’s, El Tapatio, Downtown Sushi, the Grainary, and 605 Nutrition.

Kirk Ellis: Leading Criminal Investigations

Captain Kirk Ellis has more than 21 years of service with the Watertown Police Department, where he currently leads the Criminal Investigation Division, overseeing major cases and ensuring public safety. He takes pride in serving the community he grew up in and in the growth and improvements made to the SWAT team under his leadership.

When he is off duty, Kirk is often found at Lake Kampeska with family and friends. His favorite local spot is the deck at North Shore in the summer. A fun fact about the Captain is that he initially went to college for mortuary science before switching to criminal justice.