Months away from the election, one thing is certain in Platte City — there will be a new mayor.
Frank Offutt
In an email sent to the Citizen on Dec. 28 — a day after our last publication deadline — mayor Frank Offutt announced he would not be seeking re-election this April.
Offutt’s term, as well as openings in Ward I (James Everett), II (Tony Paolillo) and III (Debbie Kirkpatrick) will be on the ballot. Everett filed to run again, but Kirkpatrick hasn’t as of Jan. 2.
Paolillo withdrew his request to run in Ward II and has since filed to run for mayor.
Offutt has been the mayor since 1998, which comes after serving as a second ward alderman from 1986 to 1990. He first got into public service in the 1970s serving on the trash committee for former mayor Truman Glenn.
“Since answering the call to serve my community four decades ago, it has been an honor to work with four mayors and many outstanding aldermen, who shared and developed a vision for Platte City achieving the quality of life we all experience today,” Offutt wrote. “Platte City’s successful partnerships highlight our hometown as a great place to live. These relationships demonstrate the exchange of trust placed by our citizens in our elected officers. A trust that has been earned practicing good local government and being fiscally responsible in looking forward towards the future generations that shall follow.”
Offutt noted he is looking forward to resuming his role as a private citizen.
The successful passage of a tax in 2018 helped pave the way for the city to start long-term planning projects.
He is leaving as the city is undergoing plenty of changes, which includes plans for a new community center/splash pad/aquatic center over the next three decades and a revamped intersection at exit 18, a project that will be paid for by the city and MoDOT.
A long time advocate of ‘shopping local’ he also witnessed a rebirth of downtown businesses through a matching grant with the city.
This past year he helped light the courthouse lights prior to Thanksgiving.
“Platte City shall prosper,” he said. “Future elected officials shall reach new heights with a dedicated staff making Platte City a great place to live, work and play.”