Platteville City Manager Resigns for Position in Iowa

Platteville City Manager Karen Kurt has announced that she will be leaving her position in mid-August to become the Executive Director of the East Central Iowa Council of Governments.  Kurt has served as City Manager since July 2015.  “This has been a very difficult decision for me, but one that I felt was necessary to put me closer to family,” stated Kurt.

Accomplishments during Kurt’s tenure include the completion of the Library Block and Pioneer Ford redevelopments downtown, and the launch of the City Hall remodeling and Legion Park Event Center projects.  The Library Block project was recognized with a best public-private partnership award from the Wisconsin Economic Development Association in 2017 and Wisconsin Main Street in 2018.  In addition, Kurt navigated challenging 2017 and 2018 budget cycles, which ultimately led to reinvented senior center and museum department services, the City’s first long range financial plan and the City’s first Distinguished Budget Award from the Government Finance Officers Association in 2017. 

While the big projects were attention-grabbing, Kurt is equally enthusiastic about some of the smaller accomplishments during her tenure.  “I love walking around town and seeing the new Mineral Street parking lot, the student-designed banners on Main Street and the new park signs. Even small changes can have a big impact.  It’s very rewarding work.”  Kurt is also quick to acknowledge the efforts of the individuals around her.  “Everything at the City is a team effort and I can’t say enough about the caliber of the people I have had the privilege to work with…from the Common Council to City staff to our volunteers. They have all been awesome.”

Common Council President Barb Daus noted, “Karen Kurt is one of the most outstanding leaders I have worked with in my professional career.  Leaders inspire and Karen has done just that.  She has inspired us – City staff, Council members, and our community – to dream big and to work as a team to achieve more than we thought possible.  Karen’s quiet and determined style, coupled with her knowledge and amiability, are powerful combinations.  She has earned the respect of our local community as well as municipal leaders throughout the State.  Knowing that the work she has inspired has made us a stronger community, it is with regret that we accept her resignation and offer our sincere thanks and best wishes.”

Administration Director Nicola Maurer will serve as Acting City Manager while a search for a new City Manager is conducted.  Common Council President Barb Daus hopes to contract with a search firm by the end of July and anticipates having a new leader on board by the end of the year.  Daus encourages residents with ideas for the search process to contact her or any member of the Platteville Common Council.