Batavia OKs contract with new administrator

Batavia's new city administrator was at work Wednesday following city council approval of her employment contract Tuesday night.

Laura Newman is working alongside retiring city administrator Bill McGrath until the end of July when he departs.

The contract calls for her to be paid $165,000 a year. Newman will also receive a $500 a month car allowance.

Newman, a Batavia resident, comes to the city from the private sector as vice president of administration and compliance for Mitutoyo America Corp. of Aurora.

She also is an attorney, but does not have a current license to practice in Illinois.

Newman, one of 46 candidates for the job, worked for 11 years for Mitutoyo. Before that, she was a lawyer in St. Charles. She also was director of employee relations at the University of Toledo. She has been special labor counsel for North Aurora, chairman of the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce and served on Batavia's Board of Police and Fire Commissioners.