Wyoming, Michigan, Oct. 24, 2022 – After a nearly 40-year career in public service, Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt has announced his retirement, effective Feb. 16, 2023.
Holt has served as city manager since 2000, leading a team of over 400 City staff, fostering a culture of strong community service and building a foundation of fiscal responsibility. He has overseen the development of three master plans for Wyoming, including the most recent Wyoming [re]Imagined plan approved in 2021, as well as several public safety and parks millages, the building of City facilities, including the current City Hall, 62A District Court building and Department of Public Safety headquarters, as well as the consolidation of police and fire services into a single Department of Public Safety.
“I am proud of how the City handled every challenge we faced. We’ve always maintained quality services and invested in our future generations. I believe Wyoming residents have some of the best services offered by any municipality in the Midwest,” Holt said. “I have been blessed to work for good mayors, councilmembers, committee members and employees throughout my career here and I leave the City of Wyoming knowing it is in good hands. I will always think of Wyoming as home – and I will always hope for a very bright future.”
Also under Holt’s leadership:
- The Department of Public Safety became nationally accredited and recently reaccredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
- The City approved funding for the reimagined City Center project that will reestablish 28th Street SW as a destination, support local businesses, provide additional housing and bring new jobs to Wyoming.
- The City approved the sale of Site 36 to Franklin Partners, which will bring state-of-the-art manufacturing plants to Wyoming.
- Wyoming celebrated the multimillion-dollar redevelopment of 28 West Place, formerly known as the Wyoming Village Mall.
- Wyoming welcomed its first hospital system, University of Michigan Health-West.
- The City created the Greater Wyoming Community Resource Alliance, which provides scholarships to children and families.
- The City redeveloped parks across Wyoming thanks to voter-approved millages, adding new sports fields, splash pads, universal design and more.
“I’ve had the privilege to work with City Manager Holt for the past 16 years, and he has always been an advocate for the City of Wyoming and our staff,” Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt said. “He is one of the hardest-working people I know, and his commitment to our city and our residents is reflected in the caliber and consistency of his leadership.”
“His expertise in city management, knowledge of the history of Wyoming and passion for bringing people together has truly made our community a better place to live. On behalf of myself and the City Council, I want to thank Curtis for his exceptional service to Wyoming and wish him well in retirement.”
Holt joined the City of Wyoming as deputy city manager in August 1996 and was promoted to city manager in 2000. Upon his retirement in February, he will have served four mayors in this role. Prior to Wyoming, Holt served as city manager in Otsego from 1989-96 and as assistant city manager in Cedar Springs from 1987-89.
During his career, Holt has served on local, state, national and international boards and commissions, including the Grand Valley Metro Council, Grand Valley Regional Biosolids Authority, Kent County Dispatch Authority, Regional Geographical Information Service, Michigan Municipal Executives, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Municipal Risk Management Association, Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and International City Management Association.
Holt received a bachelor’s degree in public administration and master’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University.
Holt and his wife, Christy, have lived in West Michigan their entire lives. They have two adult daughters and two sons-in-law and are expecting their first granddaughter in December.
The City Council is launching a national search in the coming months to fill the city manager position.
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