City Administrator KEOKUK, IOWA
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City Administrator KEOKUK, IOWA COMMUNITY & POSITION PROFILE Apply by May 22, 2018 Date Prepared – April 23, 2018 Contact: Brent Hinson Hinson Consulting, LLC [email protected] 641-373-2535 CITY OF KEOKUK, IOWA CITY ADMINISTRATOR Community and Position Profile City Administrator Position Announcement The City of Keokuk, Iowa is currently accepting applications for the position of City Administrator. Persons interested in this position should submit a cover letter, resume, five work-related references, and salary history by May 22, 2018 by email to [email protected]. Additional information regarding the City of Keokuk can be obtained by visiting the City’s website at www.CityofKeokuk.org. Keokuk’s Historic Grand Theatre Keokuk, Iowa- A Scenic and Historic Beauty Along the Mississippi River Midwestern living at its best. This is how life is supposed to be. From the houses on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi River to the beautiful and historic homes along Grand Avenue, life in Keokuk is full of beauty and promise. The City of Keokuk is one of the two county-seat communities in Lee County and has a population of 10,780 residents, located in beautiful southeastern Iowa. Keokuk’s historic downtown stretches for 14 blocks with everything from great Italian food at Angelini’s Restaurant to Joystix vintage arcade and pinball. The community has been a long time member of the Main Street program and contains a vibrant cultural and entertainment district. Keokuk’s amazing lock and dam makes it one of Iowa’s premier recreational destinations. The slow leisurely water above the dam is some of the best water on the Mississippi River for boating and swimming while the river below the dam contains some of the best fishing in Iowa. Keokuk is a regional retail and employment center and is proud to serve the needs of the populations of Illinois, Missouri and Iowa. The Tri-state community provides for a diverse set of workforce skills and creates an environment akin to a city twice Keokuk’s size. Keokuk’s Recent Progress Keokuk has recently started on a path of progressive economic and community development policies. Through community collaboration, the organizations of the city have found success in removal of blight, redevelopment of downtown, securing grants from EDA, EPA, HUD, CDBG, and more. The City Council and Mayor, and the broader community, seek to keep Volunteers at the Keokuk Public Library this momentum and collaboration moving 2 forward with the next city administrator. Several sites are being developed and many initiatives are just getting started. Progress has been made in nearly every area working towards best practices and innovation including housing, development, quality of life amenities, youth programs, storm water management, and nuisance enforcement. An eager team of energetic community leaders of all ages are driving the tri-state area to new levels of success and will be standing by to work with the next city administrator. Keokuk’s History Keokuk was incorporated in 1847 and is named for Chief Keokuck, a chief of the Sac and Fox Indians. His bones were brought here in 1883 from Franklin County, Kansas, and reinterred in Rand Park beneath a massive stone pedestal which is surrounded by a life sized statute of the chieftain. Prior to the construction of the dam across the South Lee County Courthouse Mississippi River, the first and largest of its kind when erected, Keokuk was the shipping headquarters on the river. Just above the city were a series of rapids and channels, and further water traffic involved heavy lightening charges and transshipment. Keokuk has always been a natural shipping point due to its excellent location and has also been a significant location with respect to train traffic. The city was the location of numerous hospitals that treated wounded during the Civil War, whom were brought to the city by steamboat. Due to this important role in history, the City of Keokuk is also the location of the only National Cemetery in Iowa, which is still active today. This history is a large draw for tourists from across the nation. City Government Keokuk’s City government is led by Keokuk’s mayor and city council which employs a City Administrator. City leaders work closely with the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce and Keokuk Economic Development Corporation, as well as the Lee County Economic Development Corporation to secure a strong future for the community. The close network of city personnel, including administrative, police, fire and public works, strive to provide services that go well beyond the average, working toward the betterment of the community. The results are apparent through the high quality public services provided by the City of Keokuk’s dedicated employees. The city has 19 firefighters, 24-full time police officers (plus 3 civilians, such as records clerks, etc.) and 51 public works employees. The mayor is elected to two-year terms and city council members are elected to four-year term. The council membership includes 7 ward representatives and 2 at-large positions. 3 A breakdown of major budgeted FY2018-19 city expenditures are as follows: 1. Public Safety ………………………………………..………………………………………… $ 5,613,936 2. Public Works- Streets, Lighting & Snow Removal……………………………. $ 1,834,506 3. Culture & Recreations- Library, Parks & Cemetery………………………….. $ 1,542,994 4. Community & Economic Development……………………………………………. $ 129,716 5. General Government………………………………………………………………………. $ 803,783 6. Debt Service……………………………………………………………………………………. $ 1,603,246 7. Capital Projects……………………………………………………………………………….. $ 2,477,500 8. Sewer Utility……………………………………………………………………………………. $ 3,065,139 9. Sanitation ………………………………………………………………………………………. $ 1,107,417 10. Bridge …………………………………………………………………………………………….. $ 586,974 11. Enterprise Debt Service…………………………………………………………………… $ 985,106 Total Major Expenditures……………………….……………………………………….. $ 19,750,317 The major sources of city revenues include the following: 1. Property Taxes…………………………………………………………………………………. $ 4,712,918 2. TIF Revenues…………..……………………………………………………………………….. $ 1,269,916 3. Hotel/Motel, Gaming and Local Option Sales Tax……………………………… $ 3,142,403 4. Licenses & Permits……………………………………………………………………………. $ 150,600 5. Use of Money & Property…………………………………………………………………. $ 189,400 6. Intergovernmental including Road Use Tax………………………………………. $ 3,649,012 7. Sewer Utility User Fees…………………………………………………………………….. $4,698,000 8. Sanitation User Fees………………………………………………….…………………….. $ 785,600 9. Bridge………………………………..…………………………………………………………….. $ 370,000 Total Major Revenues………………………………………………………………………. $ 18,967,849 The City’s FY18-19 tax rate is $17.34 per $1,000 valuation and the City’s current tax rate is $16.86 per $1,000 valuation, with a consolidated levy of $46.13/ $1,000. Total fund balances estimates as of 6/30/19 are $11,688,613. The City has a total of $29,078,000 in outstanding general obligation and revenue debt. 4 City Services Beyond the normal public safety work of the Keokuk Police and Fire Departments, the city has animal control services and Keokuk Volunteer Emergency Corps (KVEC). Animal Control assists in the enforcement of the city code related to animals and KVEC primarily assists in the search and rescue operations on the Mississippi River. The community is home to a wonderful aquatic center and numerous parks including Rand Park. Rand Park is 57 acres in the middle of town and is host to numerous events throughout the Rand Park Pavilion year such as: City of Christmas, countless bands at the pavilion, and the 4th of July fireworks and carnival. Additionally, the park features a statue of Chief Keokuk, the Rand Park flower gardens and gazebo, a disc golf course and the most amazing overlook of the Mississippi River. The city works closely with the community to encourage growth through the Community Development Department and works to ensure quality neighborhoods through nuisance enforcement and abatement. The city is owner of several structures which have commissions providing guidance and oversight such as: the Grand Theatre, Keokuk Union Depot, Verity Museum, Riverfront Barge, and the Rand Park Pavilion. The city also provides for the operation and maintenance of Oakland Cemetery and operates a swing span railroad bridge over the Mississippi River that is used primarily by the Keokuk Junction Railroad. City and Local Utilities The Water Pollution Control Department is responsible for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Sewer Department is responsible for the collection system. The City of Keokuk treatment plant treats a large industrial flow and has capacity for future development. The Keokuk Municipal Waterworks is a separate entity that is governed by its own board. The Waterworks also has significant capacity for future development. Electric service is provided by Alliant Energy and natural gas is provided by Liberty Utilities. 5 Mayor & City Council Goal Setting The Mayor and City Council conducted a goal setting session on February 28, 2018, which was facilitated by the University of Iowa Institute of Public Affairs. The goal-setting session identified the following on-going priorities/commitments: CSO separation requirements – consent agreement o Sponsored projects – Phase III o Rand Park tunnel o Sewer point repair program – Phase I Develop and implement Capital Improvements Program Develop and implement Street Improvement Program River Road/Indian Hills, Soap Creek lift station replacements Move forward with planning/financial plan for new Public Safety