13-year employee of Cassville to focus on homesteading businesses

After nearly 13 years with the city of Cassville and the last seven as city administrator, Steve Walensky has announced his retirement, effective May 1, 2024.

Walensky, who took on the role of works director in 2011 and moved to city administrator in 2016, said he has greatly enjoyed his time working with the mayor, city council and the residents of Cassville.

“After 13 years, we’ve climbed out from the bad financial shape we were in when I came on, and a lot of that was simple things like fleet management,” he said. “We’ve got Cassville in a good place, and I’ve served longer than most as a city admin, and I am proud of that.

“I was fortunate to have the city council’s support of my suggestions, and I have been [Mayor Bill [Shiveley’s] wingman for 12 successful years and done good things for the city. I can’t do any of it without a good mayor, council and staff. We have good people that care about the city. I’ve also had tremendous support from a lot of key people in town working with me supporting and providing ideas. I’ve always tried to push their suggestions and recommendations, especially from people who know more than I do. Noting would get done without those key people.”

Walensky said some of the city’s greatest accomplishments in his time include projects like the water and sewer renova- tions, which he said will make the city more efficient.

“I also participated in passing the transportation sales tax and the use tax. I’ve tried to make Cassville a better place for the people who live here.”

A former resort owner, Walensky also said tourism has played a big role in how the city is managed.

“We have a great cooperation with Roaring River State Park, and we developed Outdoor Days,” he said. “I’ve constantly tried to do things from a customer perspective and improving how Cassville is run, developing department policies in between that to make city hall more efficient.”

Moving forward at 66, Walensky said he plans to focus more on his homesteading businesses with his wife, which he said along with Social Security, match his city administrator salary.

“We sold the resort three years ago and went full-time at the farm,” he said. “I’m in the meat goat business, and my wife has a homestead sop business. We also have 10 beehives and ant to double that.

“I’ve been fortunate in my prior career with strong Social Security and pensions, and when I ran the numbers, I made as much staying home as I did coming [to work at the city]. My wife has had good success with her business, and I ant to engage more in that homesteading.”

Walensky said as far as his replacement, that is for the mayor and council to determine.

“There is no plan that I am involved in,” he said. “The council and mayor will appoint, so I will stay out and make sure I give a good, solid turnover to whomever is next.”

Walensky said in his final few months, there is one more major goal he hopes to accomplish.

“The nail in the coffin for me is getting the Hall Theatre torn down,” he said.

Walensky’s official final day is May 1, 2024, but he will be taking unused vacation time leading to that date. His last day in the office will be March 29, 2024.