Trustees trim applicant pool for Carpentersville manager

The Carpentersville village board continues to narrow the applicant pool for the village manager position, having eliminated more than a third of the candidates from the selection process.

The village received 48 applications from across the country to replace Craig Anderson, who retired Tuesday. So far, the village board has shortened the list of hopefuls down to 30, village officials said.

"We cut some right off the top that we knew wouldn't fit," Trustee Paul Humpfer said. "But it has been tough because we have gotten a lot of good resumes. This next cut is going to be very interesting."

Resumes have come from applicants in Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas, Maine and New Mexico, with about one-third from Illinois.

Village President Ed Ritter said the successful candidate will be a "change agent" who can lead the village.

"We need someone who will look at what we have here and find ways to make it more efficient," Ritter said. "We also want someone who is a people person to help improve our image because our image starts with the village staff."

In addition, Ritter said the village manager will possess strong fiscal knowledge to help the village overcome potential financial crises as it struggles to reduce expenses while increasing revenues.

"There are so many factors out there; the state is looking at cutting the state income taxes we receive and in today's day and age we don't have a choice but to be penny conscious at all times," Ritter said. "Our revenues are stretched thin and no one likes to be taxed. We need someone who can find ways to maintain our current tax rate."

Ritter said he would like the village board to begin interviewing the top 10 to 15 candidates in July with the successor taking office in early September.

Last month, the village board appointed Assistant Village Manager Dawn Wucki-Rossbach as interim village manager. Wucki-Rossbach, who has served as assistant village manager since 1999, will serve in the role until the position is filled. She would not comment on whether she applied for the open position.

Anderson, 59, said he does not have firm plans after retiring, but said he would be interested in pursuing opportunities as a consultant or interim village manager - a role he filled for a few months in 2002 for Long Grove.

For now, he is assisting in Carpentersville's search in an advisory capacity.