Cary picks firm to recruit administrator

Nearly two months after Cary’s longtime village administrator Cameron Davis was dismissed, the search for his replacement is beginning.

The village board plans to approve a $12,000 contract with Voorhees Associates of Deerfield at its meeting on Tuesday to begin the search for a new administrator, Village President Tom Kierna said.

Company President Heidi Voorhees said she will attend the meeting to discuss qualifications and experience needed.

Usually it takes 90 days for a candidate to be picked and appointed by the board, plus 30 to 60 days for the person to actually start the job, she said.

The board picked Voorhees after reviewing in executive session proposals from four search firms at its last meeting, Trustee Bruce Kaplan said.

Davis was dismissed by Kierna on April 19 after having worked for the village since 1996. His annual salary was $134,000. Kierna denied there were any issues related to Davis’ performance, and said the move was in the best interest of the village after four new board members were elected in April.

The administrator’s workload is being distributed among Kierna and the various department heads.

“The mayor is stepping up. He’s been spending a lot of his time trying to hold things together, meeting with staff, spending a lot of extra time on the job, doing what he needs to do,” Kaplan said. “I would say we are getting by.”

Kierna, who works full time as a manufacturer’s representative, said he’s just doing what is necessary. “I’m managing just fine. I’m not complaining about anything,” he said.

Voorhees is the same firm the village used to hire the police chief and public work director, Kierna said.