New Humboldt city administrator hired

After a nearly two-month search, Humboldt has a new city administrator. At Monday’s Humboldt City Council meeting, the Council approved the hiring of Travis Goedken of Cherryvale, KS. Goedken is a native of Dyersville and served as the deputy city clerk for the city of Tiffin near Iowa City before accepting the city administrator job in Cherryvale in August 2013. Cherryvale is a community of about 2,300 citizens located in extreme southeast Kansas, about 17 miles from the Oklahoma border. “I’m very impressed by him. I think he’ll do an excellent job and I’m anxious for him to get started,” Humboldt Council member Darrell Rusher, who served on the search committee, said. “He was by far the most impressive candidate of the five we interviewed on Nov. 19,” Humboldt 1st Ward Councilman and Mayor-elect Dan Scholl said. As city administrator, Goedken has overseen a $4 million budget, 50 employees, 45 miles of city streets, city parks and a cemetery. Goedken’s experience extends beyond administrative work in public service. He was a lieutenant with the North Liberty Fire Department in suburban Iowa City for four years, from 2009-2013. He also has experience as a firefighter/EMT with the city of Tiffin. “Humboldt is an amazing opportunity for my family. My wife lived in Farley and I grew up in the country outside of Dyersville. So, we are used to small town living and wanted that opportunity for our kids. Humboldt with its numerous parks, recreational opportunities and the natural beauty of the area seemed like a perfect destination for us,” the 32-year-old city administrator said. To read more about the new Humboldt city administrator and other action by the Humboldt City Council, subscribe to The Humboldt Independent by clicking on the link above.