A week after Mayor Lenny Curry’s reorganization plan passed, one of its focal points has been structured with a familiar face at the top.
Derek Igou, a former deputy chief administrative officer and longtime City Hall veteran, has returned to lead the Neighborhoods Department as its director.
Igou has served as chief operating officer for the Duval County Clerk of Court the past several years after resigning from City Hall in 2011 when former Mayor Alvin Brown took office.
Igou on Monday said making the switch from the courts back to City Hall after a successful stint was “probably the most difficult professional decision I’ve made.”
He said the refocus on neighborhoods and again working with many of the teammates Curry assembled were deciding factors.
“I just want to be a part of it,” he said. “I think we can do some good things.”
That starts with paying attention to an area he said has been neglected the past several years.
The new department structure is different, he said, but beneficial in ways such as having liaisons to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and Jacksonville Public Library — two links that are vital to successful neighborhoods.
His first day was Monday. He said rather than come in with ideas, he’ll do what many other new leaders do — he’ll listen first.
That means reaching out to groups like Citizen Planning Advisory Committees and neighborhood organizations, as well as employees, to determine what efforts are needed where.
“You have to listen,” he said.
He’ll make $142,000 leading the department, a bump from the $115,000 he made with the courts.
Curry also announced other parts of the Neighborhoods restructuring Monday. They are:
• Kim Scott as operations director.
• Diana Seydlorsky as chief of housing and community development.
• Monica Cichowlas as customer service manager of 630-CITY.
• Bryan Mosier as chief of municipal code compliance.
• Melissa Long as chief of environmental quality.
• John Shellhorn as chief of mosquito control.
• James Crosby as Animal Care and Protective Services interim head.
@writerchapman
(904) 356-2466