The City of Kechi announces the retirement of City Administrator Robert Conger and welcomes his successor, Kamme Sroufe.

Robert Conger has faithfully served this small Kansas community since he began as Kechi City Administrator in 2012, following a 32-year career with the Sedgwick County Fire Department.

Conger explains, “During my time as a firehouse captain, I was able to complete my Master of Public Administration Degree at Wichita State. Shortly after I retired, I received a call from the City of Kechi asking if I would interview for the City Administrator’s position.  Eight years later, and I am approaching another retirement.  I could not have arrived at this point in my life without the love and support of my wife, Lee Ann, and two sons, Keegan, and Drew.”

Administrator Conger officially handed over his duties to current Kechi Financial Director, Sroufe on July 10, 2020, after she was unanimously appointed by the Kechi City Council on July 9.

“I have often lamented that, while firefighting was my first-loved career, I wish I had entered into city management sooner,” shares Conger, “My time at Kechi has been profoundly rewarding – both personally and professionally. Looking back, public service has always been an integral part of me, and I will miss that direct contact, attempting to solve problems and make our community better.”

Conger will remain an advisor to the city during a transition period of leadership. As his duties wane, Conger shares, “Besides some anticipated travel plans in the coming months and years, Lee Ann and I intend to focus on endeavors to help feed the hungry and underserved.  Living a life without service is just not something I can imagine.”

New Administrator, Kamme Sroufe, is life-long native of Wichita. She and her husband, Jerrod, have four children, ranging from ages 12 to 3. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Wichita State University.

Sroufe has worked in the Sedgwick County Manager’s Office as a Budget Analyst, and in the finance organization at Spirit Aerosystems. She was currently serving as Kechi’s Financial Director, a role she began in February 2020. She will continue that role in tandem with the City Administrator duties.

Sroufe shares her vision and goals for the city, “Kechi has a healthy fiscal foundation on which to grow and an amazing team of dedicated public servants.  Updating technology and software will be a game changer for city operations in the next year.  Not only will it make us more efficient, it will promote transparency and empower citizens and decision-makers through data, creating a culture of engagement.”

Source: City of Kechi.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have released a joint informational bulletin on improving accessibility for adults and people with a disability in rural America. This Joint Informational Bulletin provides state Medicaid agencies, state and local housing agencies, state and local public health agencies, and other health and housing entities with information to better understand existing federal resources and programs that are intended to improve health and housing outcomes in rural America. These resources may address reducing physical environmental barriers in the home, increasing safety, minimizing the risk of falls, and supporting a person’s ability and desire to remain in his or her own home.

To read the full joint bulletin in its entirety, click here.

It is with a heavy heart the City of Olathe announces that Mayor Michael Copeland passed away last night, August 19, at the age of 58.

Mike first joined the Olathe City Council in 1993, and was elected Mayor in 2001, making him the longest serving Mayor in the City’s 162-year history. Mike first moved to Olathe from California to play football at MidAmerica Nazarene University. He fell in love with the community he would one day lead and champion. His contributions in Olathe and the region are numerous.

One of Mike’s greatest joys was championing Olathe children’s causes. He created the Olathe Mayor’s Christmas Tree Fund which has raised over $1.5 million dollars for Olathe children’s charities. He personally read to thousands of Olathe school children through his “I Read with Mayor Mike” children’s literacy initiative which was recognized by the Points of Life Foundation and First Lady Laura Bush who visited Olathe to highlight the program.

Under Mike’s leadership as Mayor, the City of Olathe transformed from a bedroom community to a premier city and regional powerhouse. Olathe grew by nearly 50,000 residents, added 18 parks and 29 miles of trails, miles of new roads and major projects such as the Olathe Community Center, City Hall, the Indian Creek Library, the Santa Fe Railroad grade separation and most recently, Lake Olathe Park.  The city government blossomed into one of the nation’s highest performing. Resident satisfaction for quality of city services and quality of life in Olathe has become some of the highest in the nation, and Olathe has been consistently recognized as one of the safest cities and best cities in which to live.

Mike was not only engaged in Olathe, but throughout the region. He served on the Bi-State Commission, the KVC Board of Directors, the Union Station Board of Directors, and the University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board. He also participated in numerous philanthropic groups and activities.

The popular Mayor had friends throughout the community and was said to have never met a stranger.  He was considered Olathe’s greatest cheerleader and an incredibly humble leader. That being said, Copeland believed his most important role was as a father and husband. He leaves behind his wife Maria, and children Olivia, Abigail and Joshua.

Upon his passing, Olathe Mayor Pro Tem John Bacon assumed the role of Acting Mayor. Bacon has served on the City Council since 1995. He said, “I can’t begin to say how much Mike will be missed. I lost a great friend of 40 years, and the community lost a true advocate and cheerleader who loved Olathe.  Olathe loved Mike as well. We will do our best to carry on his legacy.”

During this difficult time, the family asks for privacy.

Mayor Copeland’s full bio is available at OlatheKS.org. Photos and a recently shot video of Mayor Copeland reading a book for this year’s Olathe students can be downloaded at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4n3bruiwgvt7n53/AACQrb8lpP-te2zSm-8AjTOxa?dl=0.  State of the City Addresses and other videos can be found at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXTYKE6o-YYaaY-dyPwpiqpE8N2ST-8YD.