PREVIOUSLY HAD ROLES IN LAWSON, GLADSTONE
Bryan Richison has been hired as the new city administrator for the City of Platte City.
The Platte City Board of Aldermen held a special closed session late in the day on Friday, June 13 to take up the question of authorizing the execution of an employment contract with Richison. At that meeting, aldermen voted unanimously to approve the hiring.
Richison has been city administrator for the City of Arnold, Mo. Arnold is a city with a population of 21,000 in northeastern Jefferson County. It is a suburb of St. Louis. By comparison, Platte City’s population is approximately 5,000.
According to a public document showing the contract between Richison and Platte City, terms of the city’s agreement with Richison are for an initial period of two years.
Twelve months prior to the expiration of the extended term, the board of aldermen shall vote whether or not to renew this agreement for an additional 12 months.
Annual compensation for Richison will be $140,000. The $140,000 is the same salary amount that was being earned by Tom Cole, the city’s previous city administrator, who left earlier this year after about eight months on the job to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Marji Gehr, who served as city administrator from mid-2023 to early 2024, had been earning a salary of $120,000.
Richison will officially begin his position with Platte City on July 21.
DJ Gehrt, who has been serving as interim city administrator since previous administrator Tom Cole left the job a few months ago, will remain on hand to assist in the transition for an undetermined amount of time, city officials said.
Mayor Steve Hoeger said the hiring of Richison came after “a comprehensive search and interview process.”
Hoeger said the mayor and board of aldermen hosted a full day of interviews that included the city’s department heads and prominent community members on Saturday, June 7. The group met with “four highly qualified candidates for the role” on the day, Hoeger said.
Hoeger commented that Richison brings more than two decades of experience in local government administration. Richison has served as the city administrator for the City of Arnold, since 2013.
While at Arnold, Richison “led numerous successful initiatives focused on economic development, infrastructure investment, and improving municipal operations,”Hoeger said.
Prior to his time in Arnold, Richison held various administrative roles in city management and finance, building a career marked by strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, and community engagement.
Bryan is no stranger to local city administration in northwest Missouri, having served as the city administrator in Lawson and assistant city administrator in Gladstone for about three years each.
Following a number of years on the east side of the state, Richison and his family “had motivation to return to the area,” Hoeger said.
Both Bryan and his wife Karen’s parents live in the Kansas City area and they were ready to be closer to family.
Hoeger expressed strong confidence in Richison’s leadership, stating:
“Bryan brings a wealth of experience in municipal leadership, a strong track record of innovation, and a commitment to transparent, responsive government. His expertise and collaborative approach align well with the values of our community, and I am confident he will serve Platte City with professionalism and integrity. I look forward to working together to continue moving our city forward.”
In a news release issued by the mayor, Richison expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity:
“I’m honored to be selected as Platte City’s next city administrator. I was impressed by the professionalism of the board of aldermen, the vision of the mayor, and the sense of pride and community that Platte City clearly holds. I’m excited to begin working alongside city staff, elected officials, and residents to help build upon the city’s strengths and guide future progress.”
Hoeger expressed gratitude to DJ Gehrt for returning to serve as interim city administrator for the second time. He had also served in that interim role after Marji Gehr was fired in 2024.
“DJ will once again help transition the city’s administration in an orderly and effective manner following Richison’s start in July,” Hoeger said.
