Prospect Heights has changing of the guard

Prospect Heights has a new city administrator, following the retirement of Pam Arrigoni.

Anne Marrin, 47, who most recently was assistant city manager of Highwood, started her new role Monday. Arrigoni will oversee a transition period until her last day Oct. 13.

After Arrigoni, 62, announced her intentions to retire last June, the city evaluated applications from seven candidates that had experience in city government administration. The list was narrowed down to four, before Mayor Dolly Vole and Alderman Bree Higgins picked Marrin from the final two.

Vole said Marrin is well rounded, having worked with stimulus funding and communicating with elected officials. Vole also pointed to Marrin's experience in dealing with Highwood's fiscal problems.

"Whether you're home rule or not, the economy is affecting you," Vole said. "She had effective direction in their community. Her drive for what made them better is what we're looking for."

In Highwood, Marrin worked on planning for road projects also considered a necessity in Prospect Heights. Highwood received $471,000 in federal funds for its Sheridan Road reconstruction project, the second largest stimulus disbursement in Lake County, Marrin said.

She said she plans to seek out funding and grant opportunities for Prospect Heights.

"We will look for any avenue needed to get additional funding for this city," Marrin said. "If there's money out there, I'd like to seek it out."

Marrin has spent time on both sides of city government as an employee and as an elected official. She was a village trustee in tiny McCullom Lake in McHenry County, worked for WRB, a municipal management consulting firm, and had an administrative internship with the Village of Buffalo Grove.

"It gives me a better understanding of where the council is coming from and where employees are coming from," Marrin said.

Her annual salary will be $75,000 less than what Arrigoni is paid, because of the city's financial condition, Vole said.

Marrin will be eligible for a $5,000 bonus after three months, and will get use of a vehicle during the day for city business.

Arrigoni spent 27 years in municipal government nearly a decade of that in Prospect Heights. She worked under four Prospect Heights mayors since being hired as an assistant to the city administrator. She became city administrator in 2007.

In Prospect Heights, the city administrator seemingly does it all, as the full-time, day-to-day chief administrative officer of city government. For Arrigoni, that meant most days began at 6:30 a.m., before anyone else arrived at City Hall. Sometimes she was there until 10 p.m., when some night meetings would end.

"Between the employees, elected officials and residents, I enjoyed my job fully," Arrigoni said. "I loved what I've done over the years. But when you have to give bad news to residents and employees, that's hardest thing to do.

Prospect Heights' fiscal condition has been particularly grim of late. Marrin is taking over in the face of employee layoffs, and unpaid furlough days for those who remain. To cut costs, City Hall is closed to the public on Fridays, while the police and public works departments are closed to the public every day.

In her retirement, Arrigoni said she plans to travel, spend time with her grandchildren, and read books for fun.

"She's very dedicated to her job. She was an asset to the community in many ways," Vole said.