WILLIAMS, CA (MPG) – The Williams City Council has designated Dave Harden as the city’s engineer, formalizing a role that has been filled through contract services in recent years.
Harden, a professional civil engineer with employee‑owned Bennett Engineering Inc., based in Roseville, will serve as the city’s official engineer with authority to review and sign engineering documents and support public works and development projects.
The appointment follows the city’s transition away from an in‑house public works director and engineer to fully contracted services. City Manager Yvonne Kimball said the designation ensures Williams maintains consistent engineering oversight as major projects move forward.
Harden told the council he has worked with Bennett Engineering since 2010 and is familiar with Williams through years of project work.
“I currently serve as a city engineer to the City of Gridley and the City of Biggs as well as some other special districts around California,” he said.
Harden’s work focuses on municipal infrastructure, including water and sewer systems, roadway improvements and capital project planning. Bennett Engineering has assisted Williams since 2016 on projects such as traffic signal upgrades, sewer improvements and long‑range infrastructure planning.
Under the city’s existing agreement with Bennett Engineering, Harden will continue providing services through August 2026, with an option to extend.
Council members cited Harden’s familiarity with local projects and his experience with nearby cities as key advantages for Williams. The resolution passed unanimously and the designation took effect immediately. City officials emphasized that the designation does not add cost, as the engineering services are already budgeted.