City Administrator

The city administrator is the city’s chief executive officer and is responsible for the efficient and economical operation of city government. The city administrator serves and advises the Mayor and Board of Aldermen, hires department directors, and prepares a proposed annual budget for Board consideration. The administrator also enforces municipal laws and ordinances and coordinates city operations and programs.

The city administrator’s office provides staff support services to the Board of Aldermen and coordinates the development and analysis of policy recommendations presented to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. The administrator interacts on a daily basis with the city’s Executive Team, consisting of the city administrator and department directors. The city administrator’s office also works with a variety of community and economic development partners to assist in providing the best possible services and information to the citizens of Branson.

Dean Kruithof has been city administrator of Branson since July 2008. He came to Branson from Fort Smith, AR where he was deputy city administrator from 1999 to 2008. Kruithof has over 27 years of broad municipal management experience and has worked in administrative positions in Wichita, Kansas; Stillwater, Oklahoma; Pittsburg, Kansas and DeKalb, Illinois. During his tenure in Fort Smith, Kruithof has had extensive experience in capital improvement projects including the development of a convention center, numerous street improvements and the expansion of the regional water supply. He has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Masters Degree in Public Administration from Oklahoma State University. Born in Carthage, MO, Kruithof was raised in Miami, OK. He and his wife Cynthia have one grown son.