MONROE - In the midst of planning and designing a $20-million expansion for its wastewater treatment plant, the city of Monroe is about to lose its newly appointed water and wastewater utilities director, George Thompson, effective June 1.

Thompson submitted his resignation Monday. He has been instrumental in getting the upgrade project off the ground since taking a position as the city wastewater treatment plant supervisor in May 2010. That position was merged with the water department director position last fall.

"The plant expansion will continue and move forward," Thompson said Tuesday. "Everyone, AECOM (engineering firm) and all the operators out at the plant have played a key role in developing and designing the plans."

Thompson said he will be taking a position as a biogas digest plant manager in Dane County with Clear Horizons, a private developer of biogas energy systems, headquartered in Milwaukee.

"It was a tough decision," Thompson said. "I am happy here. I like working for the city and I liked the people I worked with."

Thompson said the new position was good career opportunity for him.

The wastewater treatment plant upgrades, a two-year construction project, are set to begin in 2013.

- Tere Dunlap