MENOMONIE, WI– Eric Atkinson has been named the new City Administrator for the City of Menomonie. Atkinson was selected by the Menomonie City Council and will begin his role on April 16 following Lowell Prange’s retirement after 35 years of service as Menomonie’s City Administrator.
Atkinson has served the City of Menomonie since 2012 as the Chief of Police. Prior to serving in Menomonie, he was a law enforcement officer for the Hudson Police Department and the Prescott Police Department. In addition to his public safety experience, he possesses a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a Master of Arts Degree from the University of St. Thomas.
During his tenure as Chief of Police, he managed the police department’s operations and budget. Moreover, Atkinson led the department by implementing a procedural justice paradigm that used problem-oriented and community-oriented policing strategies while adhering to evidence-based practices focused on harm reduction. One of those initiatives is Project Hope, a large-scale methamphetamine and opioid abatement program. This program involved collaboration with various community stakeholders and garnered statewide and national attention due to its complexity and magnitude. In addition to his work as the Chief of Police, he served as an adjunct faculty member for the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
"Lowell Prange is an amazing administrator, leader, and role model. For 35 years he guided the development of the community, mentored city staff, and devoted his life towards the betterment of others,” Atkinson stated. “I applied to be the next City Administrator because it offered the unique opportunity to serve the community in a capacity that could positively impact all aspects of local government service. My desire is to help the Mayor and City Council continue to provide a high level of service for the community, while being mindful of how we spend the taxpayer's dollars. I'm looking forward to collaborating with the community to help improve the quality of life for all of Menomonie's residents and visitors."
“We had 19 great applicants for the position of City Administrator. Eric Atkinson's broad base of experience, expertise, and his ability to take on projects such as Project Hope and make it a successful program sets him apart,” advised Mayor Randy Knaack. “He lives in town and is a contributor to the community. Eric will make a great Administrator for the City of Menomonie for many years to come.”
