Administration

120 E. Main Street - Gardner, Kansas 66030

Contact Us - Email Administration or call 913-856-0939

The City Administrator is appointed by the Mayor and Council to direct the delivery of municipal services and provide expert advice on City operations.  The City Administrator is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the activities of all municipal operations.  The City Administrator appoints all Department Directors with Council approval.  Additionally, the Administrator performs activities as provided in the Municipal code such as ensuring that all laws and ordinances are enforced and implementing policies established by the City Council.  The Assistant City Administrator works with the City Administrator to carry out these duties.

Policy Development

One of the core functions of Administration is to oversee developments and emerging trends in local government and to provide policies to guide staff in their operations.  Direction from the City Council can also signal a need for policy change or development.  The City Administrator is responsible for implementation of those directives.  In Gardner, the Administration Department is directing policy in areas related to community development, operations, finance and public safety, thus assuring the needs of the growing community are met or exceeded. 

Project Coordination and Management

Administration staff works with city departments, engineers, and contractors to facilitate in planning, development and implementation of City projects; including street construction, electric, water, sewer systems replacement and construction and facilities construction and renovations. 

Agenda Development

The City Administrator sets the agenda for the City Council.  The Administrator is ultimately responsible for the content of the information that is contained in the packets which are delivered to the City Council, posted on the web site and made available to the public prior to the meeting date.  Agenda packets contain detailed information on the topics that will be presented at the Council meeting.  Council members review agenda information to prepare themselves for the meetings and any actions they may take on any topic at that meeting.

Budget Management and Preparation

This function of the Administration Department includes production and monitoring of the annual operating budget and capital improvements plan.  Gardner produces a multi year budget and capital improvements plan to assist the City Council in its decision making process.  Budgeting activities include assisting departments in development of budget requests, updating of revenue and expenditure forecasts and developing salary, pension and other budget figures. 

Throughout the year, staff monitors revenues and expenditure as compared to the approved budget.  If trends emerge that are contrary to the assumption that the budget was produced with, adjustments are made to ensure that financial goals of the City are met.  The budget is a working document and the most important management tool of local government.