PLATTEVILLE, April 8 — The Platteville Common Council approved a contract for new city manager Cassie “Caz” Muske Monday afternoon.
Muske, the city administrator in Clintonville who previously was Clintonville’s deputy city administrator and public works director, will start in early June. She replaces Clint Langreck, who left after 2½ years to become the Iowa County administrator.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for myself professionally and m family personally,” said Muske. “I’m excited to hit the ground running.
“At this point I need to understand the community, understand the council’s priorities, understand the department heads’ priorities, and make an assessment then.”
Muske was previously a Main Street Program director, a marketing director and a parks and media coordinator for several cities in Texas. The Texas native began her local government career as an executive assistant to the chief of police in Hewitt, Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree from McNeese State University and a Master of Public Administration degree with graduate certificate in public budgeting and financial management from Penn State.
“Platteville feels like a community where we could truly put down roots,” said Muske in her application letter. “The school district appears to be an excellent fit for our 8-year-old son — a future Hillman, we hope. My husband, who serves in law enforcement, would also have opportunities within the region to continue growing and advancing in his leadership career. We are especially drawn to the strong sense of community and the family-oriented amenities, from the Mining Museum and hiking the Platte Mound M to exploring the Platteville Community Arboretum and celebrating our son’s birthdays at a local hibachi restaurant, which is one of many unique dining options the community offers.
“Professionally, Platteville’s stable council–manager form of government is particularly meaningful to me. That structure supports strong policy leadership, professional administration, and long-term strategic focus. I am seeking a community where I can invest for the long term, build trusted partnerships, and contribute to sustainable growth. … Ultimately, I see Platteville as a community with solid fundamentals and engaged leadership — the kind of place where both professional commitment and family life can thrive for the long term.”
The other three finalists were Prairie du Chien city administrator Chad Abram, Maquoketa, Iowa city manager–clerk Joshua Boldt, and Cambridge interim clerk–treasurer Brian Wilson.
Muske said being in a council–manager city instead of a mayor–council city is “more driven by the elected body, so this will be a new dichotomy for me to bring my own ideas and experiences and leadership and pair that with the elected officials, so we’ll work together to find common ground with what they see as priorities and maybe something that I identify based on all the information that I gather when I hit the ground running.”
Platteville is one of 10 Wisconsin cities with city managers. The others are Beloit, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Lake Mills, Oshkosh, Two Rivers and Whitewater.
Platteville’s first acting city manager was Ivar VanAkkeren, the city’s public works director, who served as acting city manager from April to October 1971. VanAkkeren took over after city voters approved replacing the mayor–council form of government with the council–manager form of government in April 1970. The last Platteville mayor was Nolan Gibson, who served one year.
The longest serving of Platteville’s 13 city managers was Dave Waffle, who served for 5½ years from 1987 to 1992. City managers LeRoy Schindler and Alan Probst served four years and eight months each.
