Sterling’s Schumard honored for 25 years as city manager

STERLING – Scott Schumard has been recognized for 25 years of service as Sterling’s city manager.

Sterling Mayor Diana Merdian presented Schumard with a plaque Monday night from the International City/County Management Association honoring his decades of local government service.

“Scott began his career with the city as an intern in 1999 and has since dedicated his life to the betterment of our community,” Merdian said during the City Council meeting. “His leadership, vision and unwavering commitment have been instrumental to the city’s growth and success.”

“Scott began his career with the city as an intern in 1999 and has since dedicated his life to the betterment of our community. His leadership, vision and unwavering commitment have been instrumental to the city’s growth and success.”

—  Sterling Mayor Diana Merdian

Schumard holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. He also interned for the cities of Oliver, Kansas, and Des Moines while attending school.

As Sterling’s city manager, Schumard is responsible for many of the day-to-day operations of the city, including managing labor contracts and city budgets, recruiting city employees, working with the City Council, seeking and applying for grants, acting as a liaison for city groups such as Sterling Main Street, and meeting with contractors for developing projects.

“It really depends on which day you’re asking,” Schumard said with a laugh. “From writing grant applications to working with our engineers, whether it’s on the riverfront project or some of our cleanup grants, to trying to keep road projects on time – you have to have your hand in a little bit of everything.”

Schumard takes pride in his job and wants to help create a community where children, such as his daughter, can grow up with a future full of opportunities.

During his time as city manager, Schumard has been involved in several city park revitalization projects, including the installation of a splash pad and several improvements to the Grandon Civic Center, as well as the construction of a pavilion and improvements to the baseball diamond at Platt Park. He helped create futsal courts at Wallace Park and also was involved in the revitalization of the Sterling Theater on Locust Street.

Schumard said he strives to make decisions that strike a balance between making Sterling an affordable place to live while still offering amenities and opportunities for future families and developers to come to the city. Although he knows not everyone will agree with every decision, he looks forward to proving that the city’s vision for the riverfront is correct.

“The park is in place, and we’ve got that natural area to preserve,” Schumard said. “It’s also about having those buildings [Lawrence/Stanley National] refilled. That way, when people come across the river, the first impression is one of pride and prominence. A big part of the job is looking at ‘What are the consequences down the road?’ I can’t be a two-year thinker.”