Buffalo Grove poised to hire new manager
The Buffalo Grove Village Board and residents will be introduced July 12 to the man likely to be the next village manager.
In a news release issued at about noon today, Village President Elliott Hartstein says he'll recommend the appointment of Dane C. Bragg, currently the city manager of downstate Galesburg as the new village manager.
The release says the board of trustees, who have been actively involved in the recruitment process, are expected to approve the appointment and a contract.
Bragg will follow Bill Brimm, whose retirement was effective the end of June.
"We are very, very excited to have Dane's experienced and innovative leadership come to Buffalo Grove to work with and lead our tremendous team of staff," Hartstein wrote in the release.
"His experience as a City Manager along with his strong background in fiscal administration and economic development make him the right choice for Buffalo Grove at this time."
Bragg has been Galesburg's manager since 2007. Slightly smaller in population, Galesburg is comparable in size, budget and number of employees to Buffalo Grove.
Prior to Galesburg, Bragg was the assistant city manager and director of economic and urban development for Decatur, IL.
He has a bachelor's degree in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois and a master's in Business Administration from Millikin University in Decatur. He holds an advanced certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners.
In Galesburg, the release says, Bragg restructured the city's budgeting process resulting in a reduction in operating expenditures, a reduction in long term liabilities and debt, and a budget that allowed the city to maintain services and achieve policy goals without increasing taxes.
Bragg also implemented a Business Innovation Grant Program to increase retail business in the downtown, led the community's first visioning process, and managed the preparation of a Downtown Revitalization Strategy. He also structured a major rehabilitation of the city's water infrastructure, working with state and federal legislators to secure more than $36 million in grants for railroad grade separation projects, negotiating a $7 million line of credit for capital projects, implementing the downtown TIF district and the downtown facade programs to promote new investment in the central business district.
In Decatur, he was responsible for planning and implementing several redevelopment initiatives and new mixed use construction projects totaling $140 million.
Bragg also has been active in the Galesburg community, including the Knox County YMCA Board, the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce, the National Railroad Hall of Fame and the Bi-State Regional Planning Commission.
"I am honored to be selected as Buffalo Grove's next village manager," Bragg said in the release. "The community's reputation for progressive and innovative government, its history of sound fiscal management, and the dedicated service of the elected officials and employees make it an excellent opportunity for me and my family.
"I am also grateful to the people of Galesburg, the City Council and our outstanding city staff for the opportunity to serve as city manager."
Bragg was among 104 candidates who applied for the Buffalo Grove position. The Village Board worked with consulting firm Heidi Voorhees and Associates, to review the qualified applicants, and selected seven candidates to interview. Bragg was interviewed twice by Hartstein and trustees, and toured the village with Hartstein and Senior Trustee Jeff Braiman and met the department heads.
Hartstein said he was impressed with Bragg's grasp of so many areas that are important to the successful operation of the village, and believes he will hit the ground running.
It is anticipated that Bragg will begin work in Buffalo Grove on or before Sept. 7. He, his wife, Tracy, and 3-year old son, Wade, will attend the July 12 village board meeting. They plan to reside in Buffalo Grove.