Groveport Village Administrator Jon Crusey has accepted the job as city manager of Tipp City, Ohio.
"I’ve truly enjoyed my last three years here (in Groveport). For a town of 5,000 people there is a tremendous amount of activity," said Crusey, noting the village’s economic development around Rickenbacker Airport, as well as its growth as a recreation hub with the development of the village’s recreation center, aquatic center, and The Links at Groveport golf course as positive advances.
Crusey’s last work day in Groveport will be June 13 and he will begin employment in Tipp City, a town with about twice the population of Groveport, on June 16.
"Jon’s a great communicator and very professional. He’s a great family man," said Groveport Mayor Lance Westcamp. "We were lucky to have him and we wish him well."
Westcamp said the village will advertise for Crusey’s replacement. Westcamp stated he will review the resumes when they come in, get input from village council, and then conduct interviews. He said the applicant interviews could include a "council person or two and the law director."
Westcamp said Groveport’s good financial situation, along with its development potential, will attract "a lot of applicants."
"We need someone who can hit the ground running, we’ve got a lot going on," said Westcamp.
The mayor said he has not made a decision yet on who the interim village administrator may be.
Crusey began work as Groveport’s village administrator on April 11, 2005 when he replaced Tony Bales. Crusey holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Bowling Green and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Dayton. Prior to coming to Groveport he was the assistant city manager for the city of Sidney, Ohio.
Crusey said the city manager position in Tipp City was attractive because professionally it is an advancement for him. He added he also grew up near Tipp City, located in Miami County between Troy and Dayton, and he has family in the area.
"Tipp City has a great reputation. It’s a well managed community with good schools and a good downtown area," said Crusey.
He said his biggest challenge in Tipp City will be increasing its economic development in today’s tough economic climate.
"The struggling economy is something affecting a lot of communities around the state," observed Crusey.
Of his time in Groveport Crusey said he is proud of the financial management policies he helped put in place to create such things as target fund balances, which help keep the village financially sound. He also noted the reduction of the subsidy of the recreation center as a success,
"It’s getting to a manageable level," said Crusey and he applauded Recreation Director Kyle Lund’s efforts to help reduce the subsidy.
Crusey also cited economic development around Rickenbacker Airport that has generated tax revenue for the village as an achievement for Groveport. He particularly noted the recent approval of the 1.4 million square foot Schottenstein warehouse development at Rohr and Pontius roads as an example of how village officials planned, with developers and residents, to come up with a project that protects residents, allows development, and will increase revenue for the village as a whole.
About Groveport’s future Crusey stated, "The village is headed in a positive direction. There are a lot of good things and good opportunities here."
