Wheaton's top administrator is stepping down after 35 years of service, and the city already has his replacement lined up.

City Manager Michael Dzugan will retire Friday, July 31, closing out a decade leading city operations and a career with Wheaton stretching back to 1991, when he joined as assistant city manager. The City Council voted Monday, July 6, to appoint Raymond Munch as his successor. Munch starts Monday, July 27, giving the two a four-day overlap before Dzugan's departure.

The city is inviting residents to a public reception honoring Dzugan at 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 20, in the Gamon Room and Council Chambers at City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St. His final council meeting as city manager follows at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Both events are open to the public.

A $35 million downtown and 44 years of public service

Dzugan, a longtime Wheaton resident, oversaw the city's $35 million downtown revitalization during his tenure as city manager, a project city officials say spurred downtown investment. He also guided Wheaton through the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining uninterrupted city services and rolling out digital tools to make government more accessible.

"Under Mike's leadership, the level of City activity has never been greater," Mayor Philip Suess said in the city's July 14 announcement, praising Dzugan for keeping Wheaton in "outstanding financial shape" while advancing water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure improvements.

Before joining Wheaton, Dzugan served as assistant manager in Crystal Lake. His total career in local government spans 44 years.

Munch brings finance and management experience

Munch comes to Wheaton after more than 24 years in local government. He most recently served as director of finance for the City of Naperville and previously held roles as assistant city manager and interim city manager in DeKalb. Earlier in his career, he worked in law enforcement in Glen Ellyn and Carol Stream.

He holds a master of public administration from Northern Illinois University and a bachelor's degree in law enforcement and justice administration from Western Illinois University.

The council selected Munch following a search led by government executive recruitment firm MGT. Individual vote tallies from the July 6 appointment were not available in public records reviewed for this report.

Mayor Suess said in the city's announcement of Munch's appointment that Munch's combined experience in finance, city management, and law enforcement "will position him well to lead the City of Wheaton's departments and maintain the high quality of services that Wheaton provides to our community."

How to attend

The public reception for Dzugan is Monday, July 20, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 303 W. Wesley St. The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the same building. No registration is required.