Office of City Manager

William J. "Rusty" Geisler, City Manager

 
The City Manager performs the functions and duties of the chief administrative officer of the City, reporting to the Mayor and City Council.  The City Manager carries out the direction, policies and actions of the City Council, and is responsible for the effective and efficient provision of City services and programs.
 
All City department heads and staff report to the City Manager.  The City Manager is responsible for preparing the annual budget, representing the City relative to County and intergovernmental relations, and represents the City in dealing with personnel issues and negotiations.  The City Manager also serves as the City's Zoning Administrator, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Coordinator, and Act 51 Street Administrator.  Mr. Geisler also manages the City's participation in the Economic Vitality Incentive Program.
 
Mr. Geisler is a lifelong resident of the City of New Buffalo, with over ten years of municipal experience serving on the New Buffalo City Council – including three years as mayor.  As Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem, Mr. Geisler lead the City through getting the Water Plant Expansion Project financed and completed, Oselka Park Phase 2 mediation, provided project completion oversight for the Water Street storm drain project and the Amtrak platform, founded the Local Revenue Sharing Board's current distribution formula, was instrumental in three City Manager transitions, and has been involved in practically every other facet of local governance.
 
Mr. Geisler is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA); and bound by the ICMA Code of Ethics. 
 

 
Ryan D. Fellows, Assistant City Manager
 
The Assistant City Manager provides support to the City Manager and performs a variety of duties and functions as may be assigned by the City Manager.  The Assistant City Manager also provides staff support to the City's various boards and commissions.
 
Mr. Fellows has over six years of experience as the City Manager's assistant in New Buffalo, preforming well in a wide range of duties, such as:  Assistant Zoning Administrator, harbor maintenance administration, grant writing, ordinance writing, stormwater project coordination, budgeting, parks and recreation administrative support, internet resources management, public relations, and late in 2012 and again in early 2013 as the acting City Clerk.  He now serves as an acting deputy clerk, as a back-up for the City Clerk Office.  This excellent public service prompted Mr. Fellows's promotion from Assistant to the City Manager to Assistant City Manager in March of 2013.
 
Mr. Fellows had previously gained public administration experience while working for the City Administrator/ City Clerk of Mason and the Ingham County Clerk Election Coordinator.  He has also worked as the data services manager of a political consulting firm in East Lansing.
 
Mr. Fellows earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan.  He is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA); and bound by the ICMA Code of Ethics.  Mr. Fellows is originally from Mason, Michigan.

Here is an organizational chart with City staff and departments.