Newton city administrator selected

The City of Newton has selected a new city administrator following a three-month search.

Matthew Muckler was unanimously chosen from a pool of four finalists and approved by city council at the conclusion of its budget meeting on Monday.

“I believe he brought the skill set, the experience and the enthusiasm that council was looking for in our next administrator,” Mayor Mike Hansen said.

Muckler comes to Newton from West Branch where he has served as city administrator since May 2010. He brings along with him his wife, Debbie, and five children ages 16 and younger.

The city agreed to an initial two-year contract with a rolling agreement in the years to follow. His salary starts at $132,000 per year with no merit or cost of living increases awarded until a performance review in the spring of 2018.

Prior to his time in West Branch, Muckler was the assistant to the town manager in Buckeye, Ariz. and a council administrator in Vigo County, Ind.

Additional work by Muckler includes serving as a state representative in the Missouri Legislature and working as a Russian Linguist in the United States Army.

Muckler received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Louis University and a master’s degree in public administration from Indiana State University.

His credentials include certifications as a Certified Municipal Clerk through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, an Iowa Certified Municipal Clerk and an Iowa Certified Municipal Finance Officer through the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association.

“I think we found a diamond in the rough,” Hanson said. “(Muckler) just rose to the top.”

Muckler will begin in the position sometime after the end of March but no later than April 15. He will take over for former city administrator Bob Knable who retired in October after four and a half years in the position.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com