May 22, 2026
VIROQUA Wis. – The City of Viroqua is asking residents to help shape the recruitment of the next city administrator by completing a community survey as officials race to fill the impending leadership vacancy.
The online questionnaire asks citizens to share their perspectives on the experience leadership approach and personal qualities they believe are most important for the new executive. Public Information Officer Trina Erickson announced that the feedback will directly inform the selection process as the city works to identify the candidate best suited to serve future community needs. Residents must complete the survey by the end of the day on Tuesday, May 26.
The executive search was triggered after current City Administrator Nate Torres recently announced his resignation. Torres is stepping down after seven years at the helm of city government to accept the administrative coordinator position for Vernon County. Under his watch the city has completed major infrastructure projects including a new police station a new city hall and a new fire station along with creating a robust capital improvement plan.
To manage the administrative transition the Viroqua Common Council recently hired professional recruitment firm Public Administration Associates to cast a wide net across the Midwest. The firm is tasked with leading a roughly 14 week search process.
Torres established his final day at City Hall as June 19. City officials previously estimated that relying on the recruitment firm could result in a new administrator taking over the office by early August minimizing the gap in city leadership during a busy summer construction season.
Mayor Krista Browne previously told the council she emphasized the importance of taking the necessary time to find a candidate who will stay with the community long-term.
“I thought I wanted to paint the picture with Nate of what if we do not move urgently but we move very thoughtfully,” said Browne. “And we spend a couple weeks of time in order to get a candidate that is here for 10 plus years.”
The recruitment firm will use the community survey results along with input from city department heads to craft the official job posting before publishing it for four weeks. Following an initial round of video screenings the firm will narrow the field to three to five finalists.
Those top candidates will then visit Viroqua for a two day assessment that will feature a public meet and greet a tour of the city and formal interviews conducted by a newly established seven member local search committee. The full Viroqua Common Council will conduct the final interviews and make the ultimate hiring decision in closed session.
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