Batavia may use ex-Buffalo Grove manager to aid in administrator search
The Batavia City Council is considering hiring a consultant to help it determine what it wants in a new city administrator, and to then help find one.
Mayor Jeff Schielke is recommending they hire Bill Balling, the former manager of Buffalo Grove. Balling has his own business, WRB LLC, advising towns about searches for managers and administrators. He also has served as an interim manager in several suburbs.
"He's totally from outside Batavia. He doesn't have any preconceived connections with the city of Batavia," Schielke said, explaining his choice. Schielke is also familiar with Balling's work via Schielke's connections in the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
The council interviewed Balling Tuesday during a committee-of-the-whole meeting.
A cost has not been determined for Balling, nor a contract presented for a vote.
Alderman Marty Callahan said, given the state of Illinois' finances and the city running its own electrical utility, which is facing difficulties due to an investment in a coal-fired plant, if it would be tough to attract far-away candidates.
Balling compared the complexity of running a small city here to that of some areas of the East, and that he expects applicants from that area. "Struggles of the state aside, some of the best-managed municipalities in the country are in northern Illinois," Balling said.
Current administrator Bill McGrath plans to retire in July.
Schielke said it may seem soon to start the process. But he anticipates it could take several months to survey an advisory committee, aldermen, city workers, business leaders and other civic leaders about what they want from the next administrator. Balling would then develop a profile, advertise the position, investigate applicants and provide the council with candidates.
Alderman Susan Stark questioned involving so many people, other than aldermen and the mayor. "I guess I don't understand why so many people are involved in a process like this," she said. " ... Other than the regulars at meetings, if you wander through town and asked people who Bill McGrath is, they couldn't tell you."
Balling said there would be a "residual benefit" of respect for the new administrator, as well as city government, from the process.
Schielke said he hopes a new administrator could work for the city while McGrath is still on board, to aid in the transition.
McGrath became the city's administrator in April 2000. He is also a lawyer, specializing in municipal law. He began private practice in 1977. He is also a professional sculptor.