"Small enough to know you and
large enough to serve you."

FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Mayor/Council/Manager

Policy is established by the Mayor and Council. The City Manager is responsible for the City's daily operations.

The current Mayor served four years on the city council prior to being elected Mayor in 1974. He was re-elected to a four-year term in 2005.

The five member city council is comprised of two at-large positions and three ward positions each serving four year terms. These staggered terms help to ensure stability and experience to guide city government.

The city welcomed a new City Manager in 2005. The City adopted the Council/Manager form of government in 1916.
 

Mayor

Milt L. Kramer-- Office: 563-927-3636

Home: 563-927-2051

Council members

Dean Sherman - Home - 563-927-2732

Anthony Broghammer - Home 563-927-4183

Connie Behnken - Home 563-927-6766

Ron Struble - 563-927-3767

Daniel Stelken - 563-927-5728

City Manager

Tim Vick - 563-927-3636

City Clerk

Erin Rempe -- Office: 563-927-3636

Street Superintendent

Larry Schmidt-- Office: 563-927-4011

Water Superintendent

Loren Harbaugh-- Office: 563-927-2750

Planning Project Coordinator

Marty Kelzer -- 563-927-3636

Sewer Superintendent

Curt L. Meiner-- Office: 563-927-4010

Parks & Recreation

Doug Foley - Office: 563-927-3636

Police Department

Chief Bruce Trapp-- Office: 563-927-3355

Public Library

Kristy Folsom-- Office: 563-927-3719

Fire Department 

Chief Dennis Meisgeier
Station House: 563-927-4242 - Emergency: 911
Manchester Fire Department Web site
 
City operated facilities include the water system and the sanitary sewer system. The water system includes several wells from which all water is supplied, and distribution and storage facilities. The water system's elevated storage capacity is approximately 3,578,000 gallons. The water system's average consumption is approximately 580,000 gallons per day (gpd) and a peak consumption of approximately 1,043,000 gpd.

The sewer system consists of approximately 26 miles of collection pipes connecting to a central treatment plant serving all residents. The plant was originally constructed in 1950 and various upgrades have been made during the years, the latest being in 1983. Approximately 99% of all City residents are served by the sewer system. The sewer system has an average load of approximately 327,085 gpd, a peak load of approximately 700,000 gpd and a design capacity of approximately 823,000 gpd.
 

COMMUNITY ATTITUDE TOWARD INDUSTRY

The residents of the City of Manchester strongly support economic development. They are particularly supportive of development which will provide job opportunities for our growing population. City government recognizes the need for participation in projects to improve financial feasibility.

The City has developed strong public/private partnerships. City government in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, the Delaware County Economic Development Commission and Manchester Enterprises Inc, a local development group, serve as the nucleus for all development projects. This team concept has proved to be very successful for the City. Local development efforts emphasize the importance of existing businesses and industries.

Since 1994 three major industries have expanded their local work force. These three expansions include Exide Battery, Henderson Manufacturing and Collins Manufacturing. In addition, since 1995 three manufacturers joined our industrial family. With the assistance of our local development team, Laddawn, The Major and XL Trailers have all opened in the Industrial Park and have made a smooth transition into our community.

These development projects are the result of financing and leasing arrangements designed to meet the specific needs of business and industry. We pride ourselves in being a community small enough to know you and large enough to serve you.

Currently the City, the Delaware County Economic Development Commission (DCED) and Manchester Enterprises have available a 30,000 square foot speculative building in the Manchester Industrial Park. The building was completed in June 1997. For more information on this building and other sites and members in Manchester go to the Industrial link section on this web site.
 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Manchester continues to have a nice business climate with taxable retail
sales of $67,229,480 for the year ended March 31, 2007. The strong retail base is evident in the downtown area which enjoys a high storefront occupancy rate. The downtown businesses include several family owned operations as well as novelty and gift shops.

In addition to a stable downtown commercial district, the City has seen tremendous commercial growth on the western edge of the community. In the past fifteen years, this area has had growth spurred by Wal-Mart and the development of a thirty-acre commercial subdivision.
 

TRANSPORTATION

The City's location provides excellent transportation options for City businesses and residents Manchester is served by the four-lane Federal Highway 20 and State Highway 13. Approximately 35 miles to the west of the City, Highway 20 intersects with Interstate 380 which serves Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and other points on the Federal interstate system. Highway 13 intersects with Interstate 80 approximately 70 miles to the south of the City. The City is served by approximately 22 motor freight carriers and by the Canadian National Railroad. Commercial air transportation is available in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Waterloo, all within a 45-minute drive from Manchester.

LABOR FORCE