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Round Lake board votes to pay employees more

Over the years, Round Lake has developed a reputation as the village that paid employees the least, according to Mayor Dan MacGillis. But armed with data from a recent study, the village has become more competitive in the job market.

In December 2016 the village board hired GovHR USA to analyze village salaries, compare them to those in similar suburbs and recommend changes.

MacGillis said he was hesitant at first but now is glad the village chose to pay for the study.

He said the data gathered helped speed up negotiating sessions with the three Round Lake employee unions: Public Works Local 150, Police Officers MAP No. 444 and Police Supervisors MAP No. 459.

"They were faster because of the information we gave them, because we had information to back up what we're doing," MacGillis said. "Employees were happy, administration was happy, I'm happy we didn't spend so much money on attorneys for it."

Village Administrator Steven Shields said the village ended up increasing police salaries so it could remain competitive with other villages.

MacGillis said the new police union contract also should help address the department's attrition problem.

The study also led to changes for the village's 24 nonunion employees; on Monday night, the board voted to adopt a new merit-based pay scale.

Another result was raises for the village's two highest-paid employees, Shields and Police Chief Michael Gillette. Shields' salary went from about $119,000 per year to $135,400 per year, and Gillette's salary went from about $115,000 per year to $123,000.

"I'm proud of these guys because they weren't fighting for it. We did, the board did," MacGillis said. "These guys deserve it, and both of them say, 'We're here not because of the money.' They never pursued it. I'm proud of that."

According to village documents, Shields also will receive a monthly $250 allowance for car expenses and Gillette will get to drive his police car to and from work.

Steven Shields
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