About Ken Nelson

Ken Nelson and his family have proudly called Sterling Heights home for over 37 years.

Ken holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Before earning his degree, Ken served nearly seven years in the United States Air Force, including a tour in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 as a Weather Equipment Technician. After his military service, he continued to serve his country, working as an Electronic Technician with the National Weather Service for twelve years, where he held various supervisory roles.

Following his public service, Ken spent eight years at AT&T as both a Systems Consultant and Sales Executive, managing AT&T’s largest National Account—General Motors.

In 1995, Ken joined his brother in starting Key Property Services of Michigan, a Real Estate Brokerage and Association Management Company serving Subdivision and Condominium Associations. In 2002, Ken became the sole owner of KPS. As CEO and CFO, he worked directly with elected Boards of Directors, serving as a City Manager for up to 40 different Associations. Ken proudly led KPS for 24 years before retiring in 2019. Today, his daughter owns and operates the family business.

Ken’s commitment to Sterling Heights goes beyond business. While working at AT&T, he served on the Sterling Heights Beautification Commission for a year and then on the Board of Zoning Appeals for three years, two of which he served as Chairman. In 1996, Ken was elected to the Sterling Heights City Council, serving two terms until 1999.

Now retired, Ken is ready to put his leadership and experience back to work for the people of Sterling Heights.

About Our Council-Manager Form of Government

How it’s Supposed to work!

The Council-Manager form is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a governing body (the City Council) with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The Council-Manager form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services. In Council-Manager government, the mayor and council members are the leaders and policymakers elected to represent the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens' needs and wishes. The manager is appointed by the governing body to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is served.

 

The council is the legislative body; its members are the community’s decision-makers. The council also focuses on the community’s goals, major projects, and long-term considerations such as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning. The council hires a professional manager to carry out the administrative responsibilities and supervises the manager’s performance.
In Council-Manager communities, typically the mayor presides at council meetings, serves as a spokesperson for the community, facilitates communication and understanding between elected and appointed officials, assists the council in setting goals and advocating policy decisions, and serves as a promoter and defender of the community. In addition, the mayor serves as a key representative in intergovernmental relations. The mayor, council, and manager constitute a policy-development and management team.
The manager is hired to serve the council and the community and to bring to local government the benefits of training and experience in administering local government projects and programs on behalf of the city council. The manager prepares a budget for the council’s consideration, recruits, hires, and supervises the government’s staff, serves as the council’s chief adviser, and carries out the council’s policies. Council members and citizens count on the manager to provide complete and objective information, the pros and cons of alternatives, and longer-term consequences. The manager makes policy recommendations to the council, but the council may or may not adopt them and may modify the recommendations.
Local governments have found that overall costs have been reduced with competent management. Savings come in the form of reduced operating costs, increased efficiency and productivity, improved revenue collection, or effective use of technology.
There are 21 city departments, with the assistance of more than 12 offices and divisions, that carry out the day-to-day operations of the city government. Sterling Heights' municipal organization features 448 full-time and 114 part-time professionals. Departments follow the city's official motto: “To Strive on Behalf of All.”

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On August 5, 2025, Vote Ken Nelson for Sterling Heights Mayor

 

Paid for by CTE Ken Nelson Mayor, 40862 Firesteel, Sterling Heights, MI 48313.

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