Show Notes: Steve Dalton: Debt-Free Isn’t Growth: Infrastructure, Integrity, and the Impossible Annexation

Episode 212 of The HaltingWinter Podcast Brought to you by Zencity

Overview

In this episode, Seth Winterhalter sits down with Steve Dalton, City Administrator of Branson West, Missouri—a small town with 500 residents, million-dollar infrastructure, and a story that defies every assumption about rural government leadership.

From a childhood on a farm with no running water to a reluctant entry into law enforcement, Steve’s journey is anything but traditional. After years in narcotics and investigations, he stepped into the role of police chief and eventually, city administrator, where he now oversees explosive regional growth and one of the boldest annexations in Missouri history: bringing Silver Dollar City into the city limits.

Steve shares how he’s helping Branson West double in size, lead with integrity, and reject the notion that being debt-free equals progress. His philosophy? "Build it before they come and build it right."

Episode Highlights:

“You're hired.” How a skeptical civilian walked into a police interview, said he wanted the chief’s job, and walked out with a badge and a gun.

From Narcotics to City Hall Why Steve believes the best city administrators are often former officers who know how to make decisions with limited time and imperfect information.

You Build It Before They Come The untold story of how a backchannel friendship and a bold sewer bond led to the successful annexation of Silver Dollar City.

Infrastructure as a Vision Tool Why Branson West, with just 505 residents, has 1.1 million gallons of water in the air and a wastewater plant built for a city 7x its size.

The Cost of Playing It Safe What Steve told his board when they celebrated being debt-free and why standing still would’ve meant falling behind.

Leadership Without a Degree How grit, integrity, and action—not credentials—turned a small-town police chief into a regional visionary for growth.

Connect with Steve Dalton

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steve-dalton

About Our Sponsor: Zencity

This episode of The HaltingWinter Podcast is made possible by Zencity, a trusted partner to hundreds of local governments around the world.

Zencity is a software that enables local government leaders to gather, understand, and act on resident feedback, going beyond the "same ten people" to actually reach residents where they're at, and incorporate that feedback into decisions large and small. To learn more about how Zencity is helping turn data into action and insight into impact:

Learn more at Zencity.io

Connect with Seth Winterhalter:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sethwinterhalter Website: www.HaltingWinter.com

About HaltingWinter Municipal Solutions

At HaltingWinter, we help local government leaders build thriving teams and resilient workplace cultures through keynotes, workshops, and leadership development programs rooted in the ABCs of Impactful Municipal Leadership. 

Learn more at HaltingWinter.com

Seth's Upcoming Keynotes:

2025 Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference & Expo September 23-26 | Owensboro, KY Details at KLC

ELGL 2025 Conference | Camp Govlife October 1-3 | Santa Rose, CA Details at ELGL

2025 City Clerks New Law and Elections Seminar November 12-14 | Los Angeles, CA Details at CalCities

2025 Kansas City/County Management Association Annual Conference December 3-5 | Manhattan, KS Details at KCMA