Incumbent Platte City Mayor Steve Hoeger is facing challenger Amber Brune in the Tuesday, April 7 municipal election.
STEVE HOEGER
Hoeger, 56, is originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He has been married to his wife, Holly, for 32 years. They have two adult daughters and three grandchildren.
Hoeger worked as a paramedic for 30 years and currently serves as director of emergency management for a Kansas City metro area hospital. He also serves as the chair of the Mid-America Regional Council’s (MARC) Healthcare Coalition, working to bring partners including hospitals, local public health, city/county emergency managers and EMS services as well as other partners to plan and prepare for disasters.
“I have had the privilege of serving Platte City as mayor for the past two years,” Hoeger said. “During that time, we have seen significant economic development, including the creation of a new industrial park. Central Power has played a major role in that growth, bringing more than 300 jobs to Platte City by relocating 65 positions from Riverside and adding nearly 240 additional jobs.”
During his tenure, Hoeger said he became the first person in the city to complete training through the Missouri Municipal League’s (MML) Certified Municipal Official basic and advanced programs. These certifications target the essential information both elected, and appointed municipal officials need to better understand the complexities, and requirements to successfully lead a city.
He first came to the Board of Aldermen in 2017 through appointment.
“The experience gained through these previous opportunities positioned me well to serve in the role of mayor,” Hoeger said. “I have spent my entire working career serving others and taking care of people at some of the worst moments of their lives. This has meant working in high stress situations and finding ways to manage difficult situations and seeking optimal outcomes.”
During his two years as mayor, Hoeger said Platte City has experienced unparalleled growth and has seen the largest commercial development and job growth in its history.
“I am grateful to have been at the wheel during this time but also know it was built on the foresight of previous mayors like Frank Offutt, and the Board of Alderman, which I was part of during the time the foundation was laid for these improvements,” he said.
Hoeger said recruiting and maintaining competent staff is challenging across all businesses today and the city is no exception.
“We are seeing a change in the way people shop with huge swings to e-commerce away from brick and mortar shopping for many wants and needs,” Hoeger said. “Availability of quality housing is often cited as a concern across many communities including ours. We have successfully recruited new employers that are manufacturing and not just retail. We are also seeking options in our zoning codes that will make future development easier and more enticing in Platte City. We have a new sit down restaurant that opened, and another that will hopefully open later this spring. This gives our community more choices to stay in town rather than needing to go to Barry Road to find options.”
AMBER BRUNE
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.