Atchison city manager invites residents to raise concerns directly
A streets-crew tribute became a test of how Atchison wants complaints handled, and Mark Westhoff is steering residents toward direct meetings and city service channels.
A City of Atchison post meant to recognize the Streets Maintenance Department during Public Works Appreciation Month instead drew criticism online, and City Manager Mark Westhoff responded by asking residents to bring concerns directly to him.
Westhoff said he was disheartened by the tone of some reactions after reading comments on the city’s Facebook page Tuesday night. Instead of letting the dispute stay in a social media thread, he used the moment to invite residents to schedule a one-on-one conversation by phone or in person if they have concerns about city services, employee performance, city priorities or the budget.
The response matters because it points to the way City Hall wants complaints handled. Westhoff is the city’s chief executive officer for daily administration, and the city says his duties include supervising all departments, personnel, projects and programs, overseeing service delivery, and presenting the annual budget for commission approval. In other words, he is the person charged with connecting day-to-day service problems to the larger machinery of city government.
Atchison already has formal ways to raise issues. The city’s contact page lists Public Works as the place to direct concerns about streets, parks and recreation, trash, and water and wastewater. Its service information page also directs residents to a Utility Service Request button on the city website, giving taxpayers a place to report problems that need action beyond a Facebook comment.
The episode also puts a spotlight on a department most residents notice only when something goes wrong. Streets Maintenance is responsible for the kind of work that shapes daily life in Atchison, from potholes and wear on local roads to the visible upkeep that follows weather and traffic. City leaders said the original post was intended as recognition for that work, along with the professionalism of other city employees.
Westhoff is still relatively new in the role. Atchison announced him as its next city manager on July 15, 2024, after approving his contract on July 1, 2024, and he officially started Aug. 27, 2024. He came to Atchison from Prowers County, Colorado, where he had served as county administrator since 2022.
For residents frustrated with streets, trash pickup, water service or spending priorities, the message from City Hall was clear: use the city’s official channels, not just social media, to get concerns heard and acted on.
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