The City of Indianola is thrilled to announce the finalists for the vacant City Manager position. The announcement comes following the departure of former Indianola City Manager Benjamin Reeves last December.
Assisted by MGT, an executive recruitment and management consulting firm that specializes in local government, three finalists were selected from a field of 59 applicants. Furthermore, the search attracted a diverse pool of candidates, with resumes submitted from two countries and 25 states – including a strong showing of 22 applications from Iowa.
The City Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the City and ensures that policies declared by the Mayor and Indianola City Council are fulfilled. In Indianola, this top leadership position is responsible for:
- Preparing the annual budget.
- Applying the ordinances set by the Council.
- Hiring personnel.
- Recommending policies or programs to the Council.
- Keeping the Council fully advised of the financial and other conditions of the City.
- Providing the Council with information to aid in decision-making.
Introducing Our Finalists
The following individuals were selected as finalists for the vacant City Manager position. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Jordan Cook, City Administrator for City of Nevada, Iowa
Cook has been the city administrator for the City of Nevada, Iowa, since 2020 following two years of service as the city administrator in Clarion, Iowa. He earned his master’s degree in urban studies with an emphasis in public administration from the University of Nebraska after pivoting from an earlier career in youth education.
Jacob Meshke, Deputy City Manager for City of Brookings, South Dakota
Meshke currently serves as the deputy city manager for the City of Brookings, South Dakota, where he has been since 2019. Prior to that, he served as the assistant village administrator in Bayside, Wisconsin, for three years after moving back from Arizona following completion of his master’s degree in public administration from Arizona State University.
Timothy Vandall, City Administrator for City of Lansing, Kansas
Vandall has been with the City of Lansing, Kansas, as its city administrator since 2015. He previously served as the city administrator for Ellsworth, Kansas from 2009-2015. Vandall earned his master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Dakota.
Community Meet & Greet: Tuesday, April 1 • 5:30-7:00 PM
Finalists will participate in a public meet-and-greet opportunity from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, in Hubbell Hall at Kent Campus Center – Simpson College, located at 701 N C Street, Indianola. See Facebook Event
Earlier in the day April 1, selected staff will interview each of the finalists. The Mayor and Council will hold one-hour interviews with the finalists on Wednesday, April 2.
Following deliberations and final review by the Mayor and Council, the City of Indianola will announce its next city manager in a future news release.