Batavia hires ex-Des Plaines leader

The Batavia City Council hired a new assistant city administrator Monday.

City administrator Bill McGrath recommended hiring Jason Bajor, the former city manager of Des Plaines.

Bajor fills a gap left by the resignation of Randy Recklaus, who stepped down in February to become village manager of Clarendon Hills.

The city received 71 applications. City officials were particularly interested in applicants’ human resources experience, as the assistant administrator handles negotiations with six unions representing city workers.

The three finalists were interviewed by the mayor and Geneva’s assistant city administrator, Stephanie Dawkins. Then they made presentations to the city council and department heads.

McGrath said in addition to the skills and ethical qualities, he believes Bajor will bring “zest” to the Batavia Government Center.

“I thought that was something we needed here,” he said.

Bajor served as Des Plaines’ city manager for three years, but was allowed to resign in January 2010. The city granted Bajor, whose yearly salary was $138,000, 6 months of severance pay and health insurance benefits.

Neither Bajor nor city council members talked about the reasons for his departure at the time.

Bajor had been with Des Plaines since 2000. He began as an assistant city manager in charge of human resources, and became acting city manager upon David Niemeyer’s departure in May 2007. Bajor became city manager in February 2008.

He has a master’s degree in public administration and is working on an associate degree in accounting.