The City of Hazard officially has a full time city manager following a commissioners’ meeting Monday evening.

Before the commissioners tackled the agenda, they first voted to officially hire Carlos Combs as city manager. Combs, who had served as superintendent of public works for the City, replaces long time City Manager Paul Feltner, who retired last month after 32 years on the job.

“It’s a learning experience,” said Combs of his first two weeks as city manager. He was appointed on an interim basis immediately following Feltner’s departure. “It’s a lot different than what I’m used to. Of course I’m still doing things outside where I fell like I’m useful.”

Combs came into his current position in the midst of a water shortage problem, but he said that problem has been addressed and storage is back up to normal levels.

On Monday Combs attended his first commissioner’s meeting as city manager, leading the agenda which included his recognition of several people who aided efforts in the recent water shortage. Combs thanked several city officials and local residents including the city’s employees, David Duff, representatives with American Water, and Mayor Bill Gorman.

Combs also took a moment to apologize to the water customers in Perry County who were without service for days during the shortage last month. Combs acknowledged that as long as the City runs a water system there will be problems from time to time, but city officials and employees will continue to work hard to prevent any issues in the future.

“We’re going to have problems with water,” Combs said. “But we’re going to do the best we can.”

Also on the agenda was the bid opening for a garbage packer truck. Combs explained that the City only received one bid, from Municipal Equipment, which listed a 2009 Ford for $112,000. Combs told the commission that the truck is needed, and the bid was unanimously approved.

The commission also approved the first reading of an ordinance authorizing the receipt of $250,000 in grant funding for the water trunkline project, and heard a report on the audit of the City of Hazard from independent auditor Chris Gooch.