City Manager Blog 1: Introduction

This blog seeks to serve as a channel for transparency of City leadership an as a "Civics 101" to Leavenworth residents and businesses. We'll continue to update on 

City Manager and Assistant City Manager activities:

• The budget team is meeting to go over the first draft of the operational budget for 2026. 

• Assistant City Manager met this month with St. John’s Hospital Administrator Billie Leonard. She said the hospital has made staffing and schedule changes in the last few years and is generally in a good state. 

• Staff leadership participated in the Leavenworth County Port Authority meeting on Tuesday. They continue to have discussions about their current budget and future planning given the reduced Leavenworth County annual payments. The Board still plans to pursue the development of a new business park and are holding funds for that study. 

• PIO is meeting next week with Leavenworth County Emergency Management staff regarding the texting service.

Team Parks and Recreation

• Mill and asphalt overlay of the drive through Wollman Park and the back parking lot at the community center have been completed.

• Master Gardeners have completed the planting of flowers in the beds on Delaware as well as in Landing Park.

• Wollman Aquatic Center opened Thursday May 29, a few days later because of the weather.

• The Splash Pad continues to operate 10 a.m. to dusk and continues to be very popular.

Team Police Department

The Police Department met with Arnold Payne and George Johnson who are coordinating the Juneteenth Parade. The parade will be held on Saturday, June 14^th, 2025. The parade will mirror the route used for the Mayor’s Tree Lighting parade. Staging will be in the parking lot west of City Hall and in the 100 Block of North 5^th starting at 5:00 p.m.  The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. and travel through downtown and end at Haymarket Square with the annual Juneteenth Festival starting at 7:00 p.m

Team Fire Department

• On Thursday, May 22, the Leavenworth Fire Department celebrated the promotions of:|

  • Matthew Holek to Driver-Operator

  • Nicholas Verbenec to Captain

  • Brandon Masur to Battalion Chief

  • Fire Chief Gary Birch also presented a 5-year pin to Tristan Milne for his service to the Leavenworth Fire Department. Milne is leaving to serve full time in the U.S. Army this summer.

• The Fire Department Honor Guard presented the colors at a Royal game May 28.

Team Public Works

• Staff attended a Centennial Bridge Utility Coordination Meeting at KDOT district offices on Thursday (5/22).  Letting for the bridge is slated for November 2026 with construction from 2027 through 2029.