New administrator puts people and city at center of plans

  • 2016-02-18
New Maryland Heights city administrator Jim Krischke started his position by traveling around and getting to know the city, according to his statement during last month’s meeting of the city council.

Krischke stated that meeting people and understanding the city better was his first priority.

The new administrator is originally from Chicago and worked as a city administrator in Republic, Missouri. With nearly two decades of municipal administration experience, he was appointed on January 19 to take the place of Mark Levin, who went on to be a teacher in another state. His starting salary will be $20,000 less than Levin made before he retired. Levin and Krischke have been the only two city administrator since the Maryland Heights’ incorporation in 1985.

During the meeting, the council voted to alter the Bridgeton contract about sharing facilities in each town, with the residents of both towns getting resident rates. The facilities in question are the Maryland Heights Dogport and Aquaport, opening in the summer, and the Berry Hill Golf Course in Bridgeton. In the past, Maryland Heights and Bridgeton have shared facilities, but the agreement was annulled when other community centers opened.

For the programs that both cities will use for the same rate, the cities may want to hire a flyer printing company to help let their residents know.