Pleasantville police chief, city manager retiring

PLEASANTVILLE, Iowa — For Joe Mrstik, being the police chief in Pleasantville was a great job. But it got really interesting when the City Council asked him to take over the job of city manager after the former manager left. The only catch — the council wanted him to continue in the role of police chief, as well.

“I used to have hair when I first got this job,” said Mrstik. “I’ve argued with myself between the city administrator and the police chief, for something, and we have internal battles all the time.”

For Mrstik the city manager job takes around 65% of his time, with the rest going to the police chief job.

“It’s a great gig to have right now and I am so honored to have that,” said Mrstik. “It’s reached that point for me, it’s you know we’re doing 67% the city administration and expect to do 60 or 70% as a police chief and you can do both jobs proficiently.”

Mrstik plans to retire in early August. That will leave two jobs open with this Marion County town.

“You know you get those 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning calls that you have to respond from a dead sleep, to coming out to call which that’s what they paid me for it,” said Mrstik. “You know you just did a death notification and then you’re going to a meeting as a city administrator and you get to start talking how to grow Pleasantville, so yeah it can be a struggle sometimes.”

The Pleasantville Police Department has two other full-time officers and two part-time officers.

After Mrstik retires, he plans to stay in the area and spend time with his grandkids.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.