Lucas Battani started Feb. 2 as the City’s new Finance Director/Assistant City Administrator.
Battani is a graduate of the University of Iowa, where he majored in political science and received a certificate in entrepreneurship. His first job out of college was for Businesssolver in West Des Moines, where he worked on benefits for employers, including public sector employers like school districts, cities, and universities.
Eventually earning an MBA from Iowa in business administration, Battani turned his thoughts to working in the public sector. “I have an uncle who’s a city manager in Arizona, who’s been a mentor that’s encouraged me to pursue this profession,” he said, and when Baxter advertised a job for a city clerk, Battani applied and was hired. (He was not working in Baxter during the time for which the City has recently been under investigation. That all happened before he was hired.)
After a short time as City Clerk, Battani was named Baxter’s City Administrator, and he got more involved working with projects and grants in that role.
“I immediately felt like this (working at the forefront of city administration) was my calling. I no longer dreaded going to work. I was enjoying what I was doing. I had an amazing council (in Baxter) and am so grateful to them for the opportunity,” he said.
The move to Nevada feels like the next step in Battani’s career path, and he loves what he sees in Nevada, mentioning the great industrial base the community has and the work the City does with the Ames Alliance and NEDC.
“When there’s talk about tax reform in a city that has only residential (and no industry), the changes can greatly affect their budgets. In communities like Nevada with a strong industrial base, finances can stay a little more steady.”
Battani plans to spend his first days in Nevada, not only getting to know the people who are part of the City staff and boards/commissions, but also getting a better understanding of where the City is financially. “Jordan (Cook, City Administrator) and I have talked about looking at how we can continue to be more efficient and have a bigger return on our investments for Nevada residents.”
Battani said the one thing people need to know about him is his return on investment mentality. “I want to show an efficient operation. When you look at government, it can be difficult to see where the dollars go.” He hopes to help people have a better picture of that.
Battani said he also likes to look at the community and think about where it can be 10 or more years from now. “I like to think of the future, and with the subdivisions coming in, the amazing school district … there’s so much potential.”
Battani and his wife, Emily, met when they were both students at Urbandale High School (Lucas graduated in 2015). In fact, they both grew up in the Des Moines metro area and currently reside there with their soon-to-be-1-year-old daughter, Norah. Emily is a special education teacher in the Urbandale School District.
–Written by Marlys Barker, City of Nevada