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St. Charles in tough negotiations with city administrator

The man who runs the day-to-day operations in St. Charles has had only month-to-month job security since a new mayor and city council were elected.

Officials said last week they don't foresee needing to start seeking a new city administrator, yet the city council and City Administrator Brian Townsend are not on the same page regarding his next contract.

Townsend's current deal officially ended May 6.

The smoke was still clearing from April's municipal election that saw a new mayor and, ultimately, three new aldermen seated when the council agreed to extend Townsend's contract by one month. When that 30 days expired and the council only agreed to another monthlong extension, the community collectively raised its eyebrows — and the question around town became whether or not the new city administration also wanted a new administrator.

Mayor Ray Rogina said the impasse right now is more about money and the terms of Townsend's contract than it is about performance.

“I have no issue with him as city administrator,” Rogina said. “I respect the work he's done. It comes down to negotiating the contract, and I don't know that that's an easy task. This is the only time we are going to be on the opposite side of the table. So to me, there is no rush.”

With a salary of $193,109.51, Townsend already is the highest paid employee in the city. He also receives a $7,200 vehicle allowance and health insurance benefits that bring his total compensation to $217,376.63.

The current contract extension will expire at the beginning of July.

Townsend said his policy is not to comment on negotiations, and he is applying that philosophy to his own contract as well.

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