Article Summary: City of Casey officials and employees gathered for a surprise retirement party to honor Superintendent of Utilities Shelby Biggs, recognizing his 30 years of service to the municipality. During the event, colleagues reviewed decades of infrastructure improvements overseen by Biggs and presented him with an award of appreciation.

City of Casey Key Points:

• Decades of Service: Shelby Biggs is retiring after serving the city from 1995 to 2025.

• Infrastructure Legacy: During his tenure, Biggs oversaw major projects including the construction of a new water tower, a new sewer plant, a new electrical substation, and the implementation of automated meter reading.

• Leadership Continuity: Mayor Mike Nichols noted that Biggs will continue to assist briefly to train his counterpart.

• Civic History: Gas Department Foreman Lou Brink noted that Biggs has served under five different mayors during his career.

The City of Casey leadership team and municipal employees gathered at Crazy 8’s restaurant on Monday, December 8th, evening to hold a surprise retirement party for Superintendent of Utilities Shelby Biggs, celebrating a 30-year career marked by significant infrastructure modernization.

Mayor Mike Nichols presented Biggs with an award of appreciation, officially recognizing his commitment to the citizens of Casey from 1995 through 2025.

“You’ve done a lot for us, and hope we’ve done the same for you,” Nichols told Biggs. “We hate to see you go, but we know it’s with honor and respect that you’re going.”

While the event marked his official retirement, Nichols noted that the transition would include a handover period. The Mayor joked that Biggs would not “get totally away” immediately, as he is expected to assist with training his counterpart to ensure a smooth transfer of utility operations.

Lou Brink, Foreman of the City of Casey Gas Department, delivered remarks outlining the scope of change Biggs has witnessed and managed. Brink noted that Biggs was hired in 1995 and has served under five different mayors.

Brink listed a comprehensive catalog of capital improvement projects completed during Biggs’ tenure. According to Brink, Biggs helped oversee the construction of a new water tower, the closing of the city landfill, the construction of new generator buildings and a new substation, the transition to a new City Hall, the construction of a new sewer plant, and the implementation of automated meter reading.

“A lot of stuff done over the years,” Brink said, adding that “so much water main” had been replaced throughout town that it was difficult to quantify.

Brink’s speech also included a somber moment of remembrance for city employees and colleagues who passed away during the last three decades, recognizing the team history shared by the department.

Upon receiving the award, Biggs deflected the praise to his crew and fellow city employees.

“I’ve been blessed to have this job,” Biggs said. “None of this would get done [without you]; you guys all made that happen. I have the easy part.”

Biggs attributed the department’s success to the workforce’s work ethic. “It is your commitment to the job, your dedication, that made my job easier,” he said.

Lou Brink, Foreman of the City of Casey Gas Department, congratulated Biggs on his retirement and reminisced about their time working together.
—photo by Sharon Durham

Casey Mayor Mike Nichols spoke at Shelby Biggs’ retirement party Monday evening. —photo by Sharon Durham