Karen Kovacs

MARQUETTE — Karen Kovacs took office as Marquette’s city manager in June.

Since then, she’s been busy with duties that include overseeing all operations of the city, enforcing ordinances and laws, recommending the annual budget and advising the city commission.

“As the city manager, I get the opportunity to be a part of making a community better. I love seeing the different departments of local government work, and especially work together, to get things done to provide a safe, vibrant, and wonderful place to live,” Kovacs said.

With COVID-19 still running rampant, she and the city have had to adapt and overcome challenges they’ve faced due to the virus. They have increased their safety precautions in city buildings, regularly review and amend the COVID-19 Emergency Policy for updated guidelines and staff needs, and offer alternative ways for residents to conduct city business.

“Being a city manager does come with unique challenges which tends to keep things exciting. I treat the challenges that we face as if it were a puzzle; we have all the pieces and we just need to put them together,” Kovacs expressed.

On a more positive note, Kovacs and her team have several goals for the city this year. Some of those goals include: producing a balanced budget without dipping into reserves, as well as implementing long range budget forecasting and creating a debt management plan, continuing to explore opportunities to assist with addressing the housing shortage, finalizing the sale of the Cliffs Dow property, beginning the process to preform a significant overhaul of the Community Master Plan, and develop the Climate Action Work Plan.

In addition to those goals, she and the city are also excited to focus on the new Kids Cove all-inclusive playground that is slated to be constructed later this year. They’re also looking forward to the completion and grand opening of the Founders Landing pier project. The $5.67 million project will restore and repurpose the pier along the lake south of the ore dock.

“I am so incredibly fortunate to have been chosen as the city manager of Marquette which affords me and my family the opportunity to call this beautiful community home. This new adventure is a wonderful challenge with great rewards.

“Please swing by city hall or community office hours (usually the second Wednesday of the month at Peter White Public Library) and chat with me,” Kovacs said.

Taylor Johnson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is tjohnson@miningjournal.net.