Naperville park director gets a 3-year contract

The Naperville Park District board has approved a new contract with Executive Director Ray McGury that will keep him at the helm through 2011.

The deal keeps his salary at the current $135,000 this year and makes him eligible for 3 percent annual pay increases beginning in 2010.

"I'd like to thank you as a board of having the confidence in me to keep me around for another three years," McGury said. "It's some exciting times here in the district and staff and I look forward to implementing your vision."

McGury began his tenure seven months ago under a one-year deal.

He replaced Daniel Betts, who resigned after just five months on the job. Before joining the park district McGury spent three years as police chief in Bolingbrook and 21 years on the Naperville police force.

In January as the board discussed goals for the director, McGury reminded commissioners his contract would be done in September and Commissioner Kristen Jungles suggested extending the pact.

"What he brings to that position is strong leadership, high integrity, professionalism," Jungles said. "I think in making a commitment for three more years on his contract is not just making a commitment to him, it's making a commitment to the leadership team, the entire staff that works here and to the residents of Naperville."

The new contract goes into effect retroactively to March 1 and expires Dec. 31, 2011. McGury will be eligible for 3 percent annual pay increases beginning in January 2010 based on his completion of performance goals. He can also earn a bonus at an amount and time to be determined by the board and the district will contribute $6,000 a year to his retirement plan.

Under the contract, McGury has 24 months to move within city limits. He currently lives in Bolingbrook just outside of Naperville. The board has agreed to reimburse reasonable moving costs but did not set a specific dollar amount.

Commissioners approved the contract 6-1. Jungles, Ron Ory, Andrew Schaffner, Suzanne Hart, Marie Todd and Gerry Heide voted yes while Mary Wright was the lone no vote. Wright said the board should wait until newly elected commissioners Mike Reilly and Kirsten Young are seated.

"I have nothing against Ray, I think he's a great person, a great executive director," Wright said. "Presently I can't see in this economic climate going ahead with a three-year contract with wage increases when everything else is so unstable."