City promotes Murphy to top engineer post

The City of Owatonna has selected assistant city engineer Sean Murphy to serve as the Public Works Department’s next director, effective March 12.  

Murphy was chosen after two rounds of interviews in February and March with panels that included city council members, city leaders, community public employer engineers. 

“Sean’s education, experience and background make him an excellent fit for the City of Owatonna,” City Administrator Kris Busse said in a press release. “We are fortunate to have an individual like Sean to lead our Public Works Department.” 

Murphy stepped in as interim director when Kyle Skov was placed on leave after being arrested and charged in a domestic incident. Skov’s employment was terminated in January.  

Murphy has diverse engineering and leadership experience with the Minnesota Department of Transportation and private engineering firms. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.  

“The positive working relationships Sean has built within our organization and community have positioned him to be successful in this key role,” Busse said. “Those relationships, paired with his education, training and the commitment to our community he has shown have demonstrated that he will lead this department in alignment with the City’s purpose and values.” 

The Public Works Department includes the engineering, stormwater, street maintenance and wastewater treatment divisions.