Sturgeon Bay News: Administrator Settles In

Steve McNeil

The journey to become administrator for the City of Sturgeon Bay was one of varied paths for Steve McNeil, paths that included a career in the construction industry and a son who is an Olympic athlete.

Subtly pronounced “r’s” reveal McNeil’s home region of New England; he proudly calls Vermont home. McNeil was a village administrator for Enosburg Falls, VT for 10 years before moving to the Cheesehead state.

McNeil’s oldest son was the impetus behind his move to Wisconsin. As a student at Northern Michigan University, McNeil’s oldest child moved to Michigan to pursue ski jumping at the Olympic Education Center. McNeil and his wife visited Michigan and Wisconsin during their son’s academic tenure and fell in love with Wisconsinites and their generosity.

After the McNeil’s paid off the last tuition bill for their fourth child’s education, the couple moved to Florida for six months and contemplated their next career moves.

“We thought about going to the Southwest, and I even applied to a couple jobs down there,” McNeil said. “Neither of us felt it was the right area. We thought ‘What about Wisconsin?’ We ended up here because of the people and we love it here.”

A five-year stint in Winneconne as the village administrator added to McNeil’s love of Wisconsin. Before he applied for the job in Sturgeon Bay, he visited the city and checked out the infrastructure.

“The first thing I always do before moving to a new community is go to the school. If there are portable classrooms, or if the buildings are decrepit I steer clear. But I thought, ‘this school is pretty nice,’” McNeil said. “The second thing I do is meet the people, without telling them what I do. My wife and I went to Otumba Beach to eat lunch, and a family there was having a picnic. Within minutes we were all chatting. The third thing I did was talk to the merchants in July. Even though Third Avenue was under construction, they were all positive about what would be.”

The decision to move to Sturgeon Bay was sealed after McNeil met the city employees.

“The staff blew my socks off,” McNeil said. “Their commitment to Sturgeon Bay was just amazing.”

Those same people are now working daily with McNeil on the city budget for 2009.

“The strength in this community is the staff. The budget solutions live with those staff members,” McNeil said. “The most pressing thing facing the city budget is the levy limits. The cost of providing services far exceeds what the city can levy on taxes.”

As the city moves forward in the development of the budget, McNeil requested that residents, business owners and taxpayers add their input to the discussions.

“I moved the city aldermen’s mailboxes to the wall next to my door, so they’re close and can easily come in and talk to me; and they’re doing just that. I encourage everyone to send me an email or call my office.”

Contacting new City Administrator Steve McNeil

email: [email protected]

Phone: 920.746.2900.