City of Ridgeland Appointee for Water Authority Board

RIDGELAND, MS – The City of Ridgeland is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Forster, City Engineer, as its representative on the newly established Metro Jackson Water Authority Board. Forster will serve as a member-at-large, appointed by Mayor Gene McGee and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen.

The Metro Jackson Water Authority, created through the Metro Jackson Water Authority Act, is expected to assume oversight of Jackson’s water and sewer systems following the conclusion of the current federal receivership. The nine-member governing board will include appointments from multiple jurisdictions, including the City of Jackson, the Governor’s Office, the Lieutenant Governor, and the mayors of Ridgeland and Byram.

Forster brings extensive experience in civil engineering and public service. Prior to joining Ridgeland, Forster served as City Engineer and Director of Engineering and Utilities for the City of Flowood, and now serves as Ridgeland’s City Engineer. In that role, he oversaw a wide range of operations including utility management, capital improvement planning, construction oversight, budgeting, personnel management, and regulatory compliance.

In his role with the City, Forster supports key areas including transportation, water and sewer infrastructure, environmental initiatives, and community development, ensuring the City continues to meet the demands of growth while maintaining high standards of service.  Mr. Forster has extensive experience in utility management, capital improvement planning, construction oversight, budgeting, personnel management, and regulatory compliance.  He also serves on the Commission for the City of Jackson 1% Special Sales Tax. 

“We are looking forward to serving the entirety of the jurisdiction on this authority, and we hope to contribute to the success of the entire metro area through our efforts,” said Forster.

The City of Ridgeland looks forward to supporting the Metro Jackson Water Authority and working collaboratively with regional partners to strengthen water and wastewater services for the entire community.

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