Most, cities, even those with smaller populations, have a public service director.

Both Ashland and Huntington have long had a public service department with one authority over it.

So when newly elected Mayor Katrina Keith made some changes in the administration of Ironton, it was certainly a step in the right direction.

Her reasoning, she said, was to do some restructuring and that it was a way to save money.

However, among the duties of the new public service director will be water administration, water distribution, public service, zoning and code enforcement and recreation.

But that begs the question, are there too many sub-departments under this new department?

In Ashland the public service department consists of animal control, central garage and sanitation, flooding, street and solid waste.

In Huntington’s department are streets, sanitation and traffic engineering.

Granted Ironton is the smallest city in the Tri-State and creating economic efficiencies, where everything is allocated to bring about the most cost-effective results, is not just smart. It ought to be mandatory.

So we commend Mayor Keith for seeing restructuring as a way to make Ironton a more financially effective city.

But so many sub departments under the control of a new public service director must be questioned.

So it is imperative that Keith explain her philosophy of what she exactly wants to accomplish and how her plan will do that, including how much savings she believes will happen.

The voters deserve it.