After 21 years with the city of Kansas City, Troy Schulte, city manager for the last decade, announced today that he will retire when his contract expires on Feb. 29, 2020.

“I’ve made this decision with a sense of pride and nostalgia,” Schulte said. “Serving as KCMO’s city manager for the last decade has been the greatest and most rewarding professional achievement of my life.”

During his tenure with the city, Schulte created an award-winning five-year business plan, shepherded the $800 million GO Bond initiative, and the adoption of a Smart City program that was a model for other cities looking for innovative ways to engage residents and visitors.

Prior to becoming city manager, Schulte led the city’s budget office, working his way up through the ranks, ultimately being named city manager in 2009.

Schulte started his career as city administrator in Marengo, Iowa, and has earned advanced degrees from Iowa State University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

After February, he indicated no immediate plans to leave the city.

“I don’t have any plans other than to give my wife Laurie a break and run the shuttles to my kids’ practices and activities,” Schulte added. “My family and I love Kansas City and have no plans to leave the area. After some time off, I will figure out the next chapter of my career.”