The City of Buckley announces that City Administrator Courtney Brunell will leave her role on September 24, 2025, to join the City of Puyallup’s leadership team.

Brunell has served as Buckley’s City Administrator for the past three years, succeeding Paul Weed, who served from 2020–2021, and Dave Schmidt, who held the role for nearly two decades prior to his retirement in 2020.

“When I stepped into this role just under three years ago, I did so with the hope of making a meaningful difference and leaving things better than I found them. I expected challenges and opportunities—and we certainly had both. I am proud of the work we have accomplished together,” Brunell wrote to staff. “… Of all the cities in the Puget Sound region, Buckley is one of the most dynamic organizations… . You are part of a system that larger agencies can’t compare to—not in complexity, and certainly not in heart.”

During her tenure, Brunell worked closely with Mayor Beau Burkett, the City Council, and department directors to manage policy implementation, direct budget priorities, and ensure services aligned with community needs. She led a vision for a more transparent and streamlined process for all City projects, with a strong emphasis on customer service.

Under her leadership, Buckley achieved significant milestones, including passing an emergency services levy lid lift, securing grant funding for the SR 410 realignment and Miller Park, completing the 2024 Comprehensive Pland update, and more.

Brunell’s tenure was also marked by navigating complex labor negotiations with the City’s bargaining units, establishing legislative priorities that secured direct allocations from Washington State and Pierce County, and fostering stronger relationships with community partners.

With 15 years of experience in local government, Brunell previously served as the Development Services Manager for the City of Lakewood. She also held positions in the budget office for the City of Tacoma and the City Manager’s Office for the City of Port Angeles. Brunell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master’s in Public Administration from Seattle University.

“I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished together in Buckley,” Brunell said in a prepared statement. “The team here has an incredible capacity to deliver high-quality services while remaining responsive to the community. Buckley is one of the most dynamic organizations in the region, and I will always carry with me the pride of having been part of this team.”