SALISBURY — Salisbury-Rowan Utilities (SRU) Director James “Jim” D. Behmer, P.E. is retiring from the city of Salisbury effective July 1, after more than 30 years in the water resources industry. He has been employed by the city of Salisbury for more than 23 years, 16 of which were as utilities director.

Behmer currently manages water and wastewater services operations for more than 53,000 customers within Rowan County. His duties include performing complex strategic utilities planning, directing, and overseeing public utilities construction. In addition, he leads more than 80 SRU personnel and coordinates engineering design and inspection programs.

“I have truly enjoyed my 23 years serving as an employee of the city of Salisbury and am especially proud of the quality of water and wastewater services that Salisbury-Rowan Utilities provides within our regional utility,” Behmer said. “I plan to continue to live and serve in Salisbury after I retire from the city.”

City Manager Jim Greene heralded the outgoing utilities director.

“Jim Behmer is a well-respected water services professional, not only in Salisbury, but across North Carolina,” Greene said. “I appreciate Jim’s dedication to ensuring we have quality drinking water in Rowan County. His passion and historical knowledge of our water and wastewater system will be missed. I wish him the best during this next chapter of his life.”

Behmer earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia and is a licensed professional engineer in North Carolina. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand from 1993 to 1995 as a water resource engineer. From 1995 through 2000 he served as a community development specialist and environmental engineer with the N.C. Division of Water Quality. He earned a Master of Public Administration at Appalachian State University in December 2019.

Behmer is a member of the Rowan County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), Salisbury Lions Club, a Leadership Rowan graduate, and currently serves as chair of the Yadkin-Pee Dee Water Management Group and vice chair of the Yadkin-Pee Dee River Basin Association. He has been very active with the Rowan County United Way since 2001 and currently serves as vice president on their board.

An interim or acting director has yet to be named.