West Plains City Administrator Tom Stehn Announces Retirement Effective April 30, 2021

West Plains City Administrator Tom Stehn has informed the City Council and City staff that he will retire from the City of West Plains effective April 30, 2021.

 

Stehn, who has held the position since September, 2011, announced his decision this week after deliberation with family and friends. In a letter addressed to Mayor Jack Pahlmann, Stehn stated he was “excited” about starting the next chapter in his life and spending more time with his growing family.

 

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the City of West Plains for all of the opportunities I have experienced working for the City,” said Stehn. “I have genuinely enjoyed my employment as City Administrator and will miss everyone involved in the City. I will do everything I can to make this transition as smooth as possible.”

 

Under Stehn’s leadership, the City has focused on improving its transportation infrastructure, bolstering public safety, and completing several prominent construction projects in West Plains. Among those include two new fire stations, a new West Plains Regional Airport facility, a new West Plains Transit building, three additional bridges, and eight city streets. During his tenure, he also oversaw extensive renovations to the Jimmie Carroll Sports Complex, which now houses the Parks Department, and Fire Station 1 off Kissinger Street, which is now the headquarters for the Fire Department.

 

Stehn also helped navigate the City through a number of challenges since 2011, including the devastating flood that hit the town in April, 2017, and during the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year.

 

He and wife Arleen reside in West Plains with daughter Nikki. The family also includes son, Ryan, who resides in Kansas, a daughter, Gennie, who lives in Utah, and son Christopher, who also lives in Utah. The Stehns have three grandchildren and a fourth on the way.