Lakemoor may hire village administrator

Lakemoor Mayor Todd Weihofen said hiring the village's first administrator now is a move that could end up saving Lakemoor money.

Management is needed at village hall to reduce costs and obtain grants that could help the village operate in the black, Weihofen said.

"In attorney costs alone, we'd see a significant savings just by hiring an administrator," he said. "Right now, the attorney is called to deal with many everyday things like contractors and other everyday items. That could all be handled by a village administrator."

A proposal to hire a village administrator is expected to be discussed during Thursday's village board meeting at 7 p.m. at village hall, 234 W. Rand Road.

Weihofen admitted he has someone with village administrative experience in mind to take the position, but, would not identify that person. He also could not discuss the administrator's potential salary until it is discussed with the full village board, except to say it would be around $80,000 annually.

The administrator's duties would include looking to reduce village costs, and obtaining federal and state grants that have never been explored in the past, in addition to overseeing daily village operations, he said.

"At this point, the only way Lakemoor is going to move forward is to bring in a manager who can help us jump-start things and get things moving on the right track," Weihofen said. "There is no management at the village hall that can help guide us in the right direction. We need someone with professionalism who can bring change."

Weihofen admitted some trustees might vote against the move, considering the village cut five employees and $150,000 in salaries earlier this year to reduce costs, but stressed the hiring will be beneficial.

"The administrator could obtain grants that the village has never explored before that could reduce expenses in other areas to cover his salary," he said. "Plus, every time we call the attorney, the clock is running. Having an administrator in would go a long way to cutting that bill alone."