Monmouth’s City Administrator is retiring — again.
Lew Steinbrecher has been on the job at Monmouth City Hall for nearly nine years, a position he took in retirement after a career that saw him serve cities from Mackinac City, Michigan, to New London, Wisconsin, before retiring as administrator of Moline.
“I know there’s always going to be unfinished business no matter who you are and what job you have, but I just felt that the time was right for me to relax and enjoy what years I have left,” Steinbrecher tells WGIL.
Looking back on his tenure, Steinbrecher takes pride in the city’s financial management, particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic. He also points to the public square streetscape project and extending the life of the downtown TIF district.
Steinbrecher expects to begin his retirement in June, though he is willing to stay on a little longer if needed to ensure a smooth transition. He says the search for his successor will likely play out until at least that point.
Steinbrecher and longtime Rock Island City Manager John Phillips will lead the search on behalf of the Monmouth City Council. He says they will look closely at candidates with a background in governmental fund accounting, economic development, and familiarity with infrastructure and public safety operations.
