02-05-2025
Kansas City one step closer to naming new City Manager
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The search for Kansas City's next City Manager is nearing the finish line.
On Wednesday, the City Council, along with Mayor Quinton Lucas, conducted public interviews with the three finalists vying for the city's top administrative role. All three candidates bring significant experience in city government, and two are currently employed by Kansas City.
One by one, the finalists faced a panel of 13 council members in a high-pressure public interview process.
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Kimiko Gilmore, currently serving as interim city manager and deputy city manager, was the first to take the hot seat.
She emphasized the importance of listening to residents citywide during her first 100 days and underscored the urgency of preparing for the 2026 World Cup, a global event that will be the biggest Kansas City has ever hosted.
Mario Vasquez, assistant city manager, focused his interview on strengthening community partnerships. He, too, highlighted the importance of being present in neighborhoods and hearing directly from residents.
Patrick Klein, the city's former aviation director who led the new KCI terminal project, said he came out of retirement to give city leaders another option. His interview largely focused on his past leadership overseeing the massive airport redevelopment.
A common theme across all three interviews was rebuilding trust between City Hall and the community.
The candidates pointed to the fallout from a lawsuit filed by the city's former communications director, a controversy that ultimately led to the firing of former city manager Brian Platt.
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Each finalist offered a different approach to restoring that trust.
Gilmore said she would bring in a consultant. Vasquez promised to establish clearer expectations. Klein described the issue as 'an easy fix.'
Mayor Quinton Lucas praised the fact that all three developed and honed their leadership skills right here in the City of Fountains.
'I'm proud of Kansas City today – I'm proud of leadership we've been able to raise over the last generation and a half and I look forward to whomever the candidate being someone who supports that.'
City officials are expected to make a final decision by next Thursday.
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