Huntley approves extension for village manager
The Huntley village board has approved a contract extension for Village Manager Dave Johnson, one that guarantees his employment through spring 2017.
Johnson was previously assistant manager until he was promoted to the top job in 2008. The board unanimously approved Johnson’s employment agreement Thursday night and it expires April 30, 2017.
“I’d just like to thank the board for continued confidence,” Johnson told trustees. “I think we have a great thing going here. I look forward to serving this community — it’s something that’s a passion of mine.”
Johnson, a Huntley resident, makes $151,400 a year, a figure that includes a $10,018 pay raise he received earlier this year.
As part of his contract extension, he will also get five weeks vacation, use of a car for village business and pension contributions.
His supporters say he’s worth every penny and point to all of the development that’s happened on his watch. That includes the Route 47/I-90 full interchange now under construction and plans for Centegra Health System to build a Huntley hospital.
Johnson pays attention to the little things, too, Trustee J.R. Westberg said.
“From a street sign that’s laying down on the site of the road on up to the development that’s going on, he takes care of everything and he gets us all information that we require,” Westberg said. “The interchange, the hospital, everything that Dave has done has been invaluable.”
Johnson did not accept a pay increase for the last two years and Trustee Harry Leopold acknowledged the new raise makes up for that.
Leopold also noted Johnson saved the village money by outsourcing reviewing and inspection work.
Moreover, similar administrative jobs became available in nearby Algonquin and Woodstock and Johnson could have gone after them, Leopold said. Algonquin ultimately hired Tim Schloneger as village manager and he will make $170,684 this year.
“Right here in his backyard, (Johnson) probably could have gotten more money by virtue of the fact that Algonquin hired a person for a higher salary than he’s making,” Leopold said.
“I never look at it as having any ulterior motive, other than recognizing the individual’s performance and the value he brings to the position.”