The City of Lake Mills has a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council appoints the City Manager. I was appointed City Manager in March of 2000. The City Manager serves at the direction of the City Council and is similar to the general manager in a business corporation. The City Manager is responsible for seeing that the policies of the City Council are carried out and that all activities of the city are coordinated to provide service as efficiently and effectively as possible. The City Manager is the Chief Executive Officer of the municipal government and is responsible to the City Council. The City Manager’s tenure is entirely dependent upon the wishes of the majority of the City Council.

Administration and administrative decisions are the Manager’s responsibility. In matters of policy, the Manager regularly advises the City Council. The Manager also keeps the Council informed on the activities of all departments by bi-weekly and monthly reports. Special reports on community needs and problems are prepared from time to time and submitted to the City Council.

I continually strive to follow these ethical guidelines.

1. Be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic local government by responsible elected officials and believe that professional general management is essential to the achievement of this objective.

2. Affirm the dignity and worth of the services rendered by government and maintain a constructive, creative, and practical attitude toward urban affairs and deep sense of social responsibility as a trusted public servant.

3. Be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships in order that I may merit the respect and confidence of the elected officials, of other officials and employees, and of the public.

4. Recognize that the chief function of local government at all times is to serve the best interests of all the people.

5. Submit policy proposals to elected officials, provide them with facts and advice on matters of policy as a basis for making decisions and setting community goals, and uphold and implement municipal policies adopted by elected officials.

6. Recognize that elected representatives of the people are entitled to the credit for the establishment of municipal policies; and I am responsible for the execution of the policies.

7. Refrain from participation in the election of the members of the employing legislative body, and from all partisan political activities which would impair performance as a professional administrator.

8. Make it a duty to continually improve my professional ability and to develop the competence of associates in management techniques.

9. Keep the community informed on municipal affairs; encourage communication between the citizens and all municipal officers; emphasize friendly and courteous service to the public; and seek to improve the quality and image of public service.

10. Resist any encroachment on professional responsibilities, believing that I should be free to carry out official policies without interference, and handle each problem, without discrimination, on the basis of principle and justice.

11. Handle all matters of personnel on the basis of merit so that fairness and impartiality govern my decisions pertaining to appointments, pay adjustments, promotions, and discipline.

12. Seek no favor; believing that personal aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest.

My mission is to provide an environment that ensures the continued existence and effectiveness of representative local government; advocate meaningful citizen participation and expression in the political process; affirm the intrinsic value of public service and create an environment that inspires excellence in all our employees; promote coordination and cooperation between communities; promote a balance between the needs to use and to preserve human, economic, and natural resources; and to take actions to create diverse opportunities in housing, employment and cultural activities for everyone.

Thank you for visiting me on the website and please consider contacting me by email with your issues and concerns.