Mike Palmer Profile
Jefferson City Administrator
Mike was born in Elgin, IL but raised in Cambridge, IL. After he completed high school, his parents moved to Florida. Mike's parents, Don and Phyllis, now live in Virginia. His brother, Steve, lives in San Diego.
Mike earned his degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.
After graduation, he took a job as Building Inspector for Tavares, FL. He later ran his own construction company in Florida.
After two years in private business, Mike moved to Boulder, Colorado to take a position as Building Inspector. He later moved on to work as Building Official and in Community Development for Sheridan, Colorado. From there, he went to Elizabeth, Colorado as Community Development Director and later as City Administrator.
While working in Colorado, he met his wife, Sherry, at a coed softball gave. She "proposed" a week after they met. They have twins. Alex is studying Mortuary Science at DMACC. Annie is an Education major at UNI.
In February, 2008, Mike became City Administrator in Jefferson. Sherry works at Home State Bank in Jefferson. Both Mike and Sherry are members of Kiwanis. They live in an older two story stucco home that provides Mike with plenty of opportunity to use his construction skills.
Mike enjoys railroad history and has various memorabilia in his office. At the encouragement of the Parks and Recreation Director, I took up long distance running in 2009 and have run over 50 half marathons (13.1 miles in a half) .
Mike has enjoyed substantial experience with public works improvements and city-owned subdivisions. Jefferson implemented a successful Neighborhood Stabilization program which involved acquiring substandard properties and either rehabbing or clearing them. One lot where a house was removed was used for construction of a "green" home. The program was financed with HUD funds channeled through IDED and Region 12 Planning.
Several downtown initiatives have been undertaken. A streetscape project was completed. The City acquired, rehabbed and sold four buildings using a combination of TIF funds and a Main Street Challenge grant. A facade improvement program has been completed. The City has become certified in the Main Street program.
Major private employers in Jefferson include American Athletics (gymnastics equipment), Power Lift (athletic training equipment), West Central Cooperative, and Wild Rose Casino. The City had involvement with extending utilities and assisting with a hotel associated with the casino development.
The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower is a major focal point in Jefferson. It is located on the southwest side of the courthouse square. The tower is 162 feet tall, with an observation deck at 120 feet. The fourteen cast bells in the tower chime every fifteen minutes and provide concerts regularly.
Along the Lincoln Highway, one of the old gas stations has been restored through volunteer community efforts. Mike rejuvenated the windows in the building. The restored train station in Jefferson is a service point for the Raccoon River Valley Trail bike facility.
The overpass on Highway 4 through the community was a major enhancement for public safety in the community by providing full access from north to south across the Union Pacific railroad main line.