Miami Beach Appoints New Director of Public Works
The Miami Beach City Commission approved Resolution C7AK on July 23, 2025, appointing John C. Norris as Director of Public Works. Norris, a civil engineer with 15 years of municipal experience in Coral Springs and St. Petersburg, will oversee infrastructure, stormwater, and solid-waste operations. His appointment comes as Miami Beach prioritizes resilience and modernization to address flooding and service demands on the barrier island.
Miami Beach, Fla. – At its July 23 meeting, the City Commission approved Resolution C7AK, consenting to the appointment of John C. Norris as Director of Public Works for the City of Miami Beach.
Background & Selection
Norris comes to Miami Beach with nearly 15 years of experience in local government leadership, including senior roles in three municipalities. Most recently, he served as Director of Public Works for the City of Coral Springs, where he oversaw divisions including utilities, stormwater, streets, fleet services, facilities maintenance, solid waste, landscaping and engineering—managing a budget of approximately $72.7 million and 120 employees. In his remarks on the city website, Miami Beach identifies his credentials in civil engineering (B.S., The Citadel) and a M.P.A. from Columbia Southern University.
Role and Responsibilities
As Director of Public Works, Norris will oversee one of the city’s major service-delivery departments, responsible for infrastructure operations, maintenance of streets and public rights-of-way, solid-waste collection, stormwater management, and more. According to the city’s recruitment profile, the department must respond to the unique challenges of a barrier-island municipality, high visitor volumes, and infrastructure resilience requirements.
Commission Action and Next Steps
The resolution was sponsored by the Human Resources department and advanced with the recommendation of City Manager Eric Carpenter. With the consent vote now complete, Norris will assume responsibilities for the department and collaborate with the administration and commission on current priorities and upcoming infrastructure initiatives.
What to Watch
Key areas that the department will likely focus on under the new leadership include:
- The maintenance and upgrade of stormwater and drainage systems, especially given sea-level rise and flooding risks.
- Solid-waste and rights-of-way services aligned with the city’s service quality and operational efficiency goals.
- Long-term infrastructure planning and budget‐management to support the city’s infrastructure demands in a high-profile environment.
Public Information
For those interested in contacting the department: The City of Miami Beach lists the Public Works Director’s office at 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139.
