City Manager's Office

The City Manager appoints all department heads and is responsible to the Council for proper administration of all city business, and for the annual budget.

Steve Schainker is one of the longest, continuously serving City Managers working today. He joined the City of Ames in 1979 and was appointed City Manager in 1982. The City Manager carries out the day-to-day responsibilities of running the city organization and oversees 18 departments and divisions including Public Works, Water and Pollution Control, Parks and Recreation, Finance, Ames Electric Services, Ames Police, Ames Fire, and Planning and Housing. Mr. Schainker reports directly to the Ames City Council, which is the policy-making arm of government.

The City Council makes laws, ordinances, and policy, and it is the responsibility of the City Manager to ensure they are carried out or enforced. If you have questions or wish to contact the City Manager, please call 515-239-5101.

Excellence Through People

Please view the City of Ames Organizational Culture & Excellence Through People Values.

Resident Satisfaction Survey

• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2024 (148 pages with comments)(PDF, 3MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2023 (142 pages with comments)(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2022 (115 pages with comments)(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2021 (143 pages with comments)(PDF, 3MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2020 (160 pages with comments)(PDF, 3MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2019 (121 pages with comments)(PDF, 3MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2018 (118 pages with comments)(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2017 (103 pages with comments)(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2016 (132 pages with comments)(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2015(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey 2014(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey Report 2013(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Report 2012(PDF, 2MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Report 2011(PDF, 4MB)
• Resident Satisfaction Report 2010(PDF, 668KB)
• Resident Satisfaction Report 2009(PDF, 637KB)
• Resident Satisfaction Report 2009 (Comments only)(PDF, 76KB)
• Resident Satisfaction Survey Report 2008 (with comments)(PDF, 338KB)

City of Ames Budget and Financial Documents

Please visit the City of Ames Finance website.