DuPage Water Commission rebuffed again

The DuPage County Water Commission can’t find anyone to take its part-time treasurer’s post and the $10,000 salary that comes with it.

For the second time since January, the commission has picked someone for the job only to have the candidate turn their back on the post.

Commissioners unanimously selected Glen Ellyn resident Lynn Lullo on Monday night from a list of 15 hopefuls to replace retired DuPage County Auditor Jim Rasins Jim Rasins.

Rasins was hired in January but resigned a short time later — before ever attending a meeting — when it was discovered he had a shoulder injury that would keep him from fulfilling his duties.

Lullo followed suit Wednesday afternoon, leaving a voice mail for commission Chairman Jim Zay, saying she was declining the appointment.

“I’m truly disappointed and shocked because (Lullo) came so highly recommended,” Zay said Wednesday afternoon. “Twice now we thought we had the right person and it backfired.”

Zay said Lullo’s background as a former audit director for Deloitte & Touche and finance director at Sara Lee Food and Beverage made her the ideal candidate. Zay said Lullo resigned from Sara Lee in 2009 to spend more time raising her children.

Lullo applied for the position in February after Rasins’ resignation and had all of the qualifications Zay sought, including a nonpolitical background and experience as finance director for two major corporations.

“We talked extensively about the position last week and not once did she say she was not interested. If she would have, obviously we would not have appointed her Monday,” Zay said. “I don’t know. In my business experience, I typically see people send resumes, apply and interview for jobs because they actually want the position.”

Lullo did not return calls Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons but left a voice mail early Tuesday morning saying she was surprised to learn of her appointment.

“The process isn’t exactly as I had expected,” Lullo said. “I haven’t been offered nor have I accepted any position.”

Moving forward, Zay said many business deals, including the pending refinancing and payment of a $40 million loan, require signatures of both a treasurer and chairman.

“We’ll go back again and see if we can get someone appointed at the (April 21) meeting and make the timeline to have them approved by the county board on April 26,” Zay said. “If not, we can appoint a commissioner to take on the treasurer’s duties for one month until the next appointee is seated.”