As reported in last week’s Landmark, Parkville City Administrator Joe Parente has announced he will retire in 2022.
Parente has been Parkville’s city administrator since 2017 and recently indicated his intention to retire effective March 1, 2022.
Parente has worked in local government for 40 years, having served the entire time working for Missouri and Illinois communities. Prior to coming to Parkville, Parente served as a county administrator in the St. Louis area. Parente was recently recognized at the annual conference of the International City/County Management Association for 40 years of local government service.
As city administrator, Parente is responsible for the day-to-day operations of city government, overseeing a professional staff and working closely with the mayor and board of aldermen in carrying out policies and directives of the board.
In a news release sent to area media, the city said improvements under Parente’s leadership include:
.Expanded its communications with citizens.
.Improved overall city finances, including solving the neighborhood improvement district debt problem, relieving the taxpayers of debt burden related to construction of roads and sewer improvements in western Parkville.
.Refinanced existing city debt, resulting in over $1 million in taxpayer savings.
.Continued to improve the city’s infrastructure, making major investments in streets and sewers. This includes initiating the first two phases of the Route 9 Corridor Street Improvement project.
.Passed the Proposition P sales tax, providing a major funding source for current and future park improvements.
.Seen major commercial developments completed at Creekside, Apex Plaza and Six at Park.
.Initiated the Chapter 353 Downtown Parkville Redevelopment Program, resulting in major building improvements in downtown Parkville.
Mayor Nan Johnston said, “I want to thank Joe for his service to the city. The breadth of experience he brought to us was invaluable as we dealt with many of the city’s issues. The community is much improved and continues to be a wonderful place to live and do business.”
Alderman member and Finance Committee Chair Marc Sportsman said, “We have been fortunate to have Joe lead our city government over the past few years. During this time, we have solved some of the city’s most significant financial issues and find ourselves in the best fiscal condition, probably ever. It has been a pleasure working with him and we will wish him the best of luck upon his retirement.”
Parente said, “Working in Parkville has been a wonderful experience. I have enjoyed a great relationship with the mayor and board of aldermen. The city staff has been outstanding. I appreciate everything they do to serve our citizens. My wife and I have absolutely loved living in Parkville and have enjoyed the people, the neighborhoods, downtown Parkville and the outstanding parks, trails and nature sanctuaries. I have been fortunate, as I close out a long career in local government, to be part of such a great place to work and live.”
Johnston said the board of aldermen will immediately commence a search for a new city administrator, with a goal to have someone hired and hopefully spend some time with Parente, prior to his retirement.