Mark Dunning
City Manager
City Manager's Message
It is my pleasure to present the City of Lee’s Summit’s 2022 Annual Report. It’s been a privilege to serve as your new city manager since September 2022. As a lifelong resident of Lee’s Summit, I consider it a great privilege to lead this organization and community into the future. As I reflect on 2022 and Lee’s Summit’s accomplishments, growth and progress, I am reminded of the impact our City and its employees have made on our community and its neighbors.
In 2020, City Council adopted the Ignite Strategic Plan, which serves as a guide in all we do from planning and executing programs and projects to allocating resources and policymaking. As we set goals and pursue opportunities in 2023, we will continue to ensure they align with our strategic planning framework and create a foundation for our future.
The Diversity and Inclusion Commission, a temporary advisory body created as a result of the strategic plan, continued their work this year by completing a community assessment of the current state of diversity and inclusion in Lee’s Summit. This was done via focus groups, interviews and a community survey. We look forward to the commission’s final report and action plan which will be presented to City Council in 2023.
We moved forward on several transformative investments in our City this past year. The Fire Department broke ground on the much anticipated Fire Stations No. 4 and 5. When completed, the identical stations will provide modern facilities to support our first responders and meet the future needs of our citizens. The Downtown Market Plaza project continued moving forward with the selection of a master architect and the development of a preliminary master plan. Feedback from more than 1,100 stakeholders indicate strong support for this community project.
Our City's inviting and family-friendly appeal coupled with the selection of shops, restaurants and events has increased our potential as a regional tourism destination. For this reason, the City conducted a study to determine if Lee’s Summit would benefit from the creation of a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). The study determined the City has a strong tourism product and exceptional potential for growth. In 2023, the City will implement study recommendations which include the establishment of a DMO as an independent 501(c)(6) agency and the creation of a strategic plan for the organization.
I’d like to extend my gratitude to the residents of Lee’s Summit for voting to approve a half-cent percent public safety sales tax in April. The City appreciates your willingness to support this important sales tax measure that will ensure the safety needs of the community will continue to be met today and in the future. Funds would be used to expand emergency response capability and capacity by adding needed equipment and personnel, and increasing compensation to attract quality candidates and retain experienced personnel.
As I look back at 2022 and all of our successes, I would like to thank all of those involved who are committed to serving Lee’s Summit. Without your support, we would not be where we are today. As we look ahead to the future, it will be these leaders who will make this community an even more wonderful place where all can thrive.
I would also like to honor and recognize retired City Manager Stephen Arbo for his 21 years of exemplary civic leadership to the organization and to the Lee’s Summit community. Mr. Arbo’s fingerprints may be found on numerous successful projects and initiatives that have brought great value to the community and the organization.