Glen Ellyn manager's severance package tops $87,000

Glen Ellyn Village Manager Steve Jones, whose resignation takes effect Saturday, will receive a severance package worth $87,000 in salary and paid time off over the next six months, based on his written agreement with the village.

That severance agreement, obtained by the Daily Herald through a Freedom of Information Act request, also includes a reference letter from the village, health benefits and a promise the village will not object if Jones applies for unemployment benefits.

Jones announced his resignation in November, saying he is “looking forward to exploring new challenges in 2011.”

But some village board members this week said there were questions about whether Jones was meeting specific goals as outlined by the board. They said his performance was at the center of at least one closed-door meeting.

Village President Mark Pfefferman would not say what was discussed during that village board session, but said he met with Jones a short time later.

Jones, who served the village for 2½ years, offered his resignation on Nov. 11 in the wake of his meeting with Pfefferman.

Under Jones' contract, which was set to expire in May 2013, a resignation at the village's request entitles the manager to “all salary and earned benefits accrued up to the date of termination” and “severance pay equal to six months of his then-current salary and payment of all earned and accrued leaves and benefits.”

Additionally, the contract requires the payments be made on regular village pay dates.

Jones' severance package meets all those requirements.

The village renewed Jones' contract in July 2009. At that time, Pfefferman told the Daily Herald the goals set for Jones concerned fiscal integrity, expanded economic development and courteous and efficient service.

Jones' severance package is based on his final annual salary of $143,500. The total package includes $71,750 in salary and an additional $15,616.09 in a buyout of his remaining paid time off.

Pfefferman on Thursday would not discuss Jones' performance or any details of his departure.

“The village takes an ethical stand that we don't discuss any employee's performance, whether it be great or not-so-great, outside of executive session,” he said. “That meets up with our goals of trying to be a responsible and desired employer.”

Trustee Phil Hartweg, however, said there was some disagreement during the closed session on whether Jones was meeting his goals.

“There was considerable discussion on the progress that he was or was not making,” he said. “There was a feeling that he had succeeded in some and not in others.”

Other trustees would not comment, saying any agreement surrounding Jones' departure was between Jones and Pfefferman.

“The village president has the ultimate decision to say who the village manager is,” Hartweg said. “It's up to him how he handles that process and the board had been involved as a patient and observant one. At least as much as one would hope they would be in trying to make everything work as best as possible.”

Trustee Michelle Thorsell said the board did not take any official vote on Jones' future with the village during those sessions.

“The board cannot vote on anything like that in closed session,” she said.

Jones' resignation is one of three high-profile departures from the village in two months. Finance Director Jon Batek left Oct. 22 and Public Works Director Joe Caracci resigned Dec. 8.

Jones and village Attorney Stewart Diamond did not return calls seeking comment.

Pfefferman said the expenses of Jones' severance package, combined with the salary of an incoming village manager, could pose a budget problem.

“Am I concerned budget-wise? Absolutely,” he said. “We scrutinize every penny. But the contract called for that. We are people of our word.”