Naperville suggests banking executive to fill council vacancy
A banking executive is the choice to replace Naperville City Council member Grant Wehrli until a new council is seated in May.
The appointment of Tom Miers, president of Naperville Bank and Trust, is expected to be approved Feb. 3 when Miers will be sworn in to join the council for three months.
The vacancy was created when Wehrli resigned Jan. 14 to begin serving as a state representative from Illinois' 41st House District.
Mayor George Pradel said he and the seven remaining members of the council determined Miers would be a good fit.
"(Miers) is a 40-year resident of Naperville who has an understanding of where the city has been and a vision of where it is going and is willing to accept the appointment," Pradel said Tuesday.
Miers said he's honored to be part of a council with members who don't have an agenda but want what's best for the city.
"It's an opportunity to give back even though it's a short period of time," he said.
Aside from putting his banking expertise to work reviewing the budget, Miers said he is interested in helping decide which nonprofits should get special events and cultural amenities funding.
"I'm interested in that process," he said. "I understand the nonprofit world."
Miers' financial experience could come in handy as the city works to close a gap in next year's budget that began at $12 million.
"He has firsthand experience in the critical aspect of effective leadership and he has a comprehensive background in budget operations having nearly 30 years' experience in banking ... which is critical in the light of the city's recent budget challenges," Pradel said.
Finance Director Rachel Mayer said the deficit now stands at roughly $6 million because of hundreds of small cuts to planned expenditures. But more work remains to be done in the coming months as the city council moves toward approving a new spending plan to take effect May 1.
Miers was out of town and unable to attend Tuesday's city council meeting, when his likely appointment was announced. But Pradel said Miers' extensive background of community service, which includes roles with organizations such as the housing advisory commission, the Edward Hospital Foundation, Naperville Sunrise Rotary Club, Naperville Jaycees, Indian Prairie Educational Foundation and the Naperville YMCA board, has taught him how to lead and make sound financial decisions.