07/30/2026
The City of Bolivar is saddened to hear of the passing of former city administrator Tracy Slagle earlier this week.
Slagle first joined the City of Bolivar staff in June 2012, initially working as a resource development coordinator overseeing human resources and community and economic development.
In December 2015, she moved to the deputy city administrator role, serving under former city administrator Darin Chappell.
Following Chappell’s resignation in August 2017, she was the interim city administrator until she formally took over the City’s lead administrator spot in January 2018.
Slagle was the first and only woman in the City’s history to fill that role. She retired as city administrator in 2022.
“Tracy’s success shows the power of diversity in leadership," former Mayor Christopher D. Warwick said at the time of her retirement. "I hope she serves as an inspiration for future leaders in our community.”
The City of Bolivar went through many changes and challenges during Slagle's five years as city administrator, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Slagle worked to balance the City’s budget, she helped spearhead an information campaign for a capital improvement tax reallocation measure. Voters approved the tax reallocation to help fund the Bolivar City Fire Department in November 2019.
She also reestablished Bolivar’s parks and recreation program through the City’s purchase of the lease on the former Roy Blunt YMCA building, the surrounding land, and equipment in October 2020. She facilitated the completion of the Believe in Bolivar 2040 comprehensive plan in 2021, as well.
Slagle is survived by her husband, four children, five grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
She is remembered for her warmhearted nature and unwavering dedication to public service.
"When I think of Tracy, I think of an incredibly kind person who was dedicated to making Bolivar a better place,” Bolivar City Administrator Thomas Relford said. “I think everyone can agree that Tracy was one of the nicest, most genuine people you would ever meet."
Relford said even after Slagle's retirement, she worked with him to make his transition into the City's top leadership role seamless.
"She was very supportive of me when I came here as City Administrator following her retirement, and I’m grateful she laid the groundwork to help make the community she loved the best it can be," Relford said.
“On behalf of the city staff and elected officials, our prayers and thoughts are with the Slagle family,” he added. “We thank them for allowing the City to have part of Tracy’s time and energy while she was with us.”
The Slagle family will host a memorial visitation at Emmaus Springfield in Springfield from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 31, and a Celebration of Life at SBU’s Pike Auditorium in Bolivar at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1.
Visit https://greenlawnfuneralhome.com/obituary/tracy-anne-slagle/ to view her full obituary.
