Mount Pleasant, Iowa has selected a new leader to oversee daily city operations.
City officials announced the hiring of Joseph Taylor as the new City Administrator. In this role, Taylor will be responsible for ensuring that the policies and directives of the Mount Pleasant City Council are carried out efficiently, safely, and in a cost-effective manner.
The City Administrator oversees all operating departments, prepares and monitors the city budget, coordinates with the city attorney on legal matters, and develops agenda materials for council meetings. The position also emphasizes customer service and communication with residents, community partners, and regulatory organizations.
Taylor brings more than 20 years of business and entrepreneurial experience prior to entering municipal government. From the Midwest, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University.
Most recently, Taylor served as Town Manager for Orange Park, Florida, a position he was appointed to effective December 1st, 2025. City officials say Taylor’s background blends private sector experience with local government leadership, along with a focus on collaboration, transparency, and accessibility in government.
Taylor is known for an approachable leadership style and places a strong emphasis on building relationships with residents, staff, elected officials, and partner agencies to strengthen the community.
Outside of work, Taylor enjoys spending time with his wife of 20 years and their three children. Family activities include RV travel, dining adventures, and supporting their children’s involvement in sports and the arts. In his free time, Taylor also enjoys cooking family meals and coaching youth sports, particularly baseball.
KILJ and the entire Southeast Iowa region looks forward to working closely with Taylor as he assumes his new role and continues to advance and enhance Mount Pleasant.
