Challenger Amber Brune handily beat out incumbent Platte City Mayor Steve Hoeger in the Tuesday, April 7 municipal election. Brune received 64 percent of the vote to Hoeger’s 35 percent.
Brune, 34, is from Platte City. Married, she has twin children and began her working career as an ICU nurse, working in both neurosurgical and trauma settings. While working at the bedside, she started a small business that eventually grew into a full-time job.
“I’m running because I care deeply about the future of our community and want to help ensure it continues moving in a positive direction,” Brune said. “My family chose to build our life here, and I want to see our town remain a place where small businesses can grow, families feel supported, and residents feel heard by their local government. I believe the next few years are important for building on the momentum our community has started, and I want to be part of making thoughtful, responsible decisions that move us forward.”
She said her background in nursing, small business, and motherhood has prepared her well for public service. As an ICU nurse, she learned how to stay calm under pressure, analyze complex situations quickly, and advocate for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. As a small business owner, she gained firsthand experience in management, budgeting, problem-solving, and making decisions that keep an organization running effectively. And as a mom, she is constantly thinking about the kind of community being built for the next generation — one that is safe, responsible, and full of opportunity.
“I believe I bring a different perspective and leadership style to this position,” Brune said. “I strongly value transparency and communication with residents — people should understand not just what decisions are made, but why they’re made, and they should have the opportunity to be part of those conversations early in the process.”
She said the next four years could make or break the city’s momentum.
“Small businesses have taken a chance on our community and helped bring new life to downtown, and I want to build on that momentum,” Brune said. “I also believe the city needs to move more efficiently on issues that matter to residents. When something like the chicken ordinance takes months to resolve, or conversations about trash service stretch close to a year, it shows there is room for more responsiveness and decisive leadership.
“If elected, I will also not take a mayoral salary because my focus is simply on serving the community and helping Platte City move forward.”
Brune said one of the biggest challenges facing the city is managing growth while maintaining the character and quality of life. As Platte City continues to grow, increased development and population can place pressure on infrastructure, public safety and city services.
Another issue residents have raised is transparency and communication from city leadership. Many people feel they learn about important decisions or projects after plans are already underway rather than being included earlier in the discussion.
The city also faces challenges with the pace and efficiency of decision-making. When discussions about issues like ordinances or city services take many months to resolve, it can create frustration among residents and uncertainty for those affected by those decisions.
To address growth, she believes the city needs to take a proactive approach by developing a comprehensive master plan that helps guide development while protecting the character and quality of life that residents value.
When it comes to communication and transparency, Brune believes the city needs to evaluate how it communicates with residents. Times have changed, and the ways people receive information have changed as well.
“If we want residents to be engaged and informed, the city needs to meet people where they are and create more opportunities for residents to stay informed and involved in local conversations,” Brune said.
To address concerns about the pace of decision-making, she said, she believes the city should establish clearer timelines and expectations for reviewing and resolving issues that come before the council.