The Board of Aldermen is pleased to announce the selection of Sheila Ernzen as City Administrator. Ernzen is an experienced administrator with 20 years of public sector experience. She joined the City of Kearney last summer to serve as Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director. She has been serving as the Interim City Administrator since Jim Eldridge’s retirement September 2022.

“I’m excited to provide Sheila this opportunity. Her depth of experiences in local government and track record will serve us well,” said Mayor Randy Pogue. “Sheila has solid experience in all areas of local government operations including fiscal management, project management, capital improvement planning, community engagement, economic development, public safety, community development and parks and recreation. She has also developed and managed multi-fund budgets of more than $150 million dollars and worked on a variety of commercial development and redevelopment projects. I am confident in our decision as a board to unanimously select Sheila and she will be an asset to the City of Kearney for years to come.”

Ernzen previously worked for the City of Belton, Missouri serving as the Interim City Manager and Assistant City Manager/Finance Director there since 2011. She began her career in public accounting, transitioning into local government in 2003. She also previously served as Clay County Treasurer and Clay County Auditor.

“It’s an amazing honor to serve the community I call my own. I look forward to continuing to build and cultivate respectful relationships and delivering excellent service to citizens. After 42 years of service, Jim Eldridge has left big shoes to fill, and I am excited to build on the foundation and traditions that he began.” said Ernzen.

Ernzen is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City and is a certified public accountant. Ernzen is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

For more information about the City of Kearney, Missouri, visit https://www.kearneymo.us

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story