BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville has made her pick for the interim Public Works director.

Earlier this month, the City of Bellingham announced that current Public Works director Ted Carlson is leaving to become the general manager for Sanitary Service Company.

Now, current Public Works assistant director Eric Johnston will take over effective August 16, and the next mayor will select a permanent director when they begin their term.

Johnston has worked in the Public Works Department at the City of Bellingham for the past seven years.

Before that, he was the City Engineer for Oak Harbor.