(Updated) Laurel Spokesman Retires After 38 Years With City

This story was updated Wednesday at 10:05 a.m. to reflect salary information for the public information officer position.

Laurel Public Information Officer James Collins is retiring March 31 after 38 years with the City of Laurel, officials announced Tuesday.

Collins, whose salary is $82,126, has been a public information officer for the city since 2002.

Collins started at the city of Laurel as a dispatcher in the Laurel Police Department. He then became a services supervisor, where he was in charge of the communications and records section of the department, city officials said. He also served as the department’s public information officer.

Carreen Koubek, the city’s community services officer, will serve as the acting public information officer until a replacement is named, city officials said in a press release.

Koubek said Wednesday city officials will make a final decision on whether to fill the position in the fiscal year 2013 budget.