Arnold Community Development director David Bookless has been named the interim city administrator while Arnold searches for Bryan Richison’s replacement. Until a replacement is named, Bookless will handle both the city administrator and Community Development director duties.
Richison’s last day was Wednesday. Last month, he announced that he was leaving the position to take a job as the next city administrator for Platte City, and he will start working for that city, which is northwest of Kansas City, on Monday.
Bookless started working as Arnold’s community development director in October 2018, and he was named the assistant city administrator in September 2023.
“Serving as interim city administrator is an important responsibility, and I’m committed to approaching it with dedication and care,” said Bookless, 58. “I look forward to working with the council, the mayor, staff and the community to address challenges and keep the city moving forward.”
Bookless, who has been earning $139,122 a year as the community development director, will receive an extra $5,511 for taking on the city administrator duties and will be paid $144,633, the same annual pay Richison has been earning at Arnold. Richison received a two-year contract with Platte City and will be paid an annual salary of $140,000 there. Bookless will assume the city administrator duties today, July 17.
City Council members voted 6-0 on July 10 to name Bookless the interim city administrator. Ward 1 Councilman EJ Fleischmann was absent from the meeting, and Ward 3 Councilwoman Jessica Bess resigned her seat on July 7.
“I’ve known David for a few years now, and I think David has been doing a pretty good job,” Mayor Bill Moritz said. “I think David is one of the nicest guys you will ever talk to. I have never seen him angry or unhappy with anything. I think he will be fine.
“He was made the assistant city administrator two years ago, and that was for a good reason. We needed to have that. The idea that Bryan needed to train his successor was valid, and we have been doing that with David.”
Richison, who had been the city administrator since Sept. 1, 2013, said Bookless is prepared to serve as the interim city administrator.
“He and I have worked closely together over the last several years, so he is fully up to speed on everything I have been working on,” Richison said. “He also has the experience and skills necessary to keep the city moving forward during the transition period.”
Bookless came to Arnold in 2018 after working the previous two years as the community development director at Collinsville, Ill.
Before that, he worked six years as planning and economic development director for Bridgeton. He also has worked as a planner for Maryland Heights, Webster Groves and Chesterfield, as well as a transportation planner for the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in geography and urban and regional planning in economics in 1998 from Florida Atlantic University. He also has an American Institute of Certified Planners License.
“I’ve learned a lot from Bryan, and he’s helped identify the key issues and priorities I’ll need to focus on after he leaves,” Bookless said. “I expect there will still be questions as I get settled into the role. I plan to rely on the mayor, council and staff who have worked closely with him to help ensure a smooth transition and continued operations.”
Bookless said his additional duties will include overseeing day-to-day city operations; managing department heads; helping to prepare and administer the city budget; implementing policies set by the City Council; advising elected officials and providing policy recommendations; and communicating with the public and responding to citizen concerns.
“I’m honored that the council named me interim, and I’m seriously interested in the permanent role,” he said. “It’s a big decision, so I want to take some time to talk it over with my family and make sure it’s the right fit for me and for the city.”
Arnold has posted the city administrator job opening on its website, arnoldmo.org. The salary range for the position is between $140,000 and $170,000, and city officials plan to review applications on Aug. 1.
As of July 11, three people had applied for the position, Moritz said.
“We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled,” he said. “We will have to come up with an interview process. This is my first time doing this, and I’m learning this. I hope we make a good choice.”
If Bookless applies for the position, his time as interim city administrator could be looked at as job interview, Moritz said.
Bookless has expressed interest in the position, so he will not be part of the hiring committee, Moritz added.
“I am trying to insulate David from anything that might be considered favoritism,” he said.