Planning, Partnerships and People, that's the key to success in running a city says Dubuque City Manager Mike Van Milligen. Retiring after 33 years as city manager, he joins Dubuque City Mayor Brad Cavanagh to talk about the job and his favorite place for pizza.

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Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

On this episode, we hear from three local government leaders: Jeff Pomeranz, city manager of Cedar Rapids; Scott Peterson, city administrator for Jefferson; and Steve Richardson, mayor of Indianola and current president of the Iowa League of Cities.

Three different leaders. Three different roles. Yet they all share the same message: success in city government starts with a commitment to public service and a willingness to keep learning.

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Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Dirk Cavanaugh, Mayor of Perry, says when he was first elected mayor, what surprised him most was the number of operations the city ran and things he didn't think about, like a cemetery.

Also, listen to how a new mayor deals with a city crisis. Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of Riverdale, says when he took office, he got a real appreciation for how all the parts of the city work together. He says while progress can be slow, it's important to hear from all voices as the city moves forward. Including, he emphasized, young people.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Bob Gallagher is the Mayor of Bettendorf and the host of this year's Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference & Exhibit. He has a lot planned for the conference and invited all members to see the best of the Quad Cities. Be prepared to move all around the area.

We also talked about smart growth, new projects and the new snowplow. Yeah baby!

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Two different public servants, two different jobs, but the same idea. If you want to know where your money goes and how government spends it, work for your city.

Stephanie Harden, Council Bluffs Accounting Manager, said she learns a lot about city government every time she writes a check. Sarah Snitker, Waukon City Clerk, says she understands a lot more about how cities operate now that she works for city government.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

As mayor of the city of Truro, population 515, Bryan Arzani has to dig in on almost every issue. Listen to him talk about the challenges of running a small city and how he works with a small staff and a tight budget. And there may be a new judge in the Truro barbecue cook-off.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

City Administrator Ondrea Elmquist joins the show to talk about the new Daisy Brand plant coming to Boone. The company is spending over $1 billion on the new facility and it has a spillover effect on the area.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Two city leaders, Devin Quindel, the utility billing clerk in Polk City who has been on the job for just two years, and Bruce Visser, the mayor of Atkins for over eight years, both said the same thing. Be prepared to learn new things. And be open to it. And the mayor added, attend Iowa League of Cities conferences.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Want to help guide your city into the future, be a city manager. That's how Matthew Schmitz, city manager of Independence, sees his job. Tim Kasparek of Tiffin, says as mayor, he realized that his vision for his city may not be shared by everyone. But he says, as long as you just do your best for your community, the city will move forward.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic

Listen twice as much as you talk, that's good advice from Mount Vernon Mayor Tom Wieseler. The mayor talked about how collaboration makes a city stronger and that "no" sometimes is the right answer.

IowaLeague.org Iowa League of Cities on Facebook Iowa League of Cities on YouTube Iowa League of Cities on LinkedIn

Executive Producers: Katie Wheeler, Brad Cavanagh, David Martin, David Snyder, Jim Ludlow Hosts: Brad Cavanagh, David Martin Producers: David Martin, Jason Stershic Editor: Jason Stershic