City Administrator

The City of Ashland, Missouri, is seeking a City Administrator to lead and manage municipal operations in a growing, close-knit community. Ashland is located in Southern Boone County, with a population that has grown from 3,707 in 2010 to 4,747 in 2020 while maintaining a quaint, small-town atmosphere. The city offers excellent schools, churches, and housing, along with convenient access to Columbia and Jefferson City via U.S. 63, a four-lane divided highway. Major metropolitan areas like St. Louis and Kansas City are less than two hours away, and recreational opportunities such as the Lake of the Ozarks, Rock Bridge State Park, and the Katy Trail are nearby.

About the Community

The Southern Boone County School District serves Ashland and surrounding areas, known for its educational excellence, with high school graduation rates eight percentage points above the state average and above-average M.A.P. scores. The district offers a wide range of student activities, clubs, and sports, including band, choir, performing arts, baseball, softball, football, soccer, volleyball, track, cross country, and golf.

Ashland is home to seven institutions of higher learning within a 25-minute drive, including the University of Missouri-Columbia, Stephens College, Columbia College, Lincoln University, William Woods University, Moberly Area Community College, and Westminster College. Residents enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, spelunking, hunting, horseback riding, camping, cycling, and golf, with eight 18-hole golf courses within 20 miles.

Opportunity

Community development in Ashland focuses on managing rapid growth while preserving its small-town identity. Over the past five years, the city has permitted an average of 68 new residential homes annually and attracted new commercial businesses. The City Administrator will collaborate with architects, engineers, contractors, developers, and local organizations such as the Southern Boone Economic Development Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Ashland Betterment Coalition to foster economic growth and regional job creation.

Government Structure

The City of Ashland operates under a Mayor-Council form of government, consisting of a Mayor and six Aldermen (two from each of three wards). The Mayor and Board of Aldermen appoint the City Administrator, who oversees city staff and five departments: Public Works, Treasurer/HR, Utility Billing, Community Development, and Police. The City Administrator also works with advisory boards for Parks and Recreation, Planning and Zoning, and the Board of Adjustment. Fire protection is provided by the Southern Boone County Fire Protection District.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief administrative officer, reporting directly to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
• Oversee municipal operations, including Public Works, Treasurer/HR, Utility Billing, Community Development, and Police departments.
• Collaborate with local stakeholders to manage growth, attract new businesses, and create regional jobs.
• Work with architects, engineers, contractors, and developers on community development projects.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between city departments and advisory boards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (master’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field preferred).
• Minimum of five years of increasingly responsible municipal managerial experience.
• At least five years of experience as a City Administrator/Manager or Assistant City Administrator/Manager (or equivalent municipal department director experience with broad general municipal knowledge).
• Experience in municipal administration, management, budget and finance, human resources, business development, infrastructure, and municipal planning.
• Residency in Ashland is preferred and required within one year of the start date.

Benefits

• Health and life insurance fully paid by the City for the employee.
• LAGERS L-6 retirement plan: employee contributes 4%, and the City contributes at the rate determined annually by LAGERS.
• Vacation, sick leave, and 32 hours of personal leave annually.
• Employee-paid dental and vision insurance options.

Pay

Estimated salary range: $93,000 to $148,000, dependent on experience.

Schedule

Full-time position.