Lake Zurich's top administrator leaving

Lake Zurich Village Administrator Bogdan “Bob” Vitas is heading out the door, with his resignation effective Dec. 31.

Vitas became Lake Zurich's top administrator after a nationwide search was completed in October 2007. He was an independent consultant when he was tabbed by then-Mayor John Tolomei to replace retiring administrator John Dixon.

Lake Zurich Mayor Suzanne Branding said Vitas' contract expires at year's end. Vitas' scheduled departure was announced Friday, but he submitted a resignation letter to Branding on Nov. 11.

“I could kind of feel it coming. You know how you just sense things sometimes,” Branding said.

Downtown redevelopment was a stated priority when Vitas took over as village administrator four years ago, but plans remain stalled. Vitas could not be reached for elaboration Friday.

Vitas did not share any specific reason for his resignation in the letter to Branding.

“I do so in order to move on with my career and to pursue other alternatives having successfully completed my contractual obligations,” Vitas' letter stated in part.

Vitas thanked the village board and Branding for his time in Lake Zurich.

“I am especially grateful for having the privilege of leading a truly capable, outstanding and dedicated employee workforce,” Vitas said.

He had a disagreement with trustees in January, when the board refused to spend public money on his tickets to the chamber dinner-dance. Vitas subsequently spent his own $150 so he and his wife could attend the Evening of Excellence sponsored by the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce.

He was to make a $145,000 base salary in the 2011 fiscal year, Lake Zurich's budget shows.

Before coming to Lake Zurich, Vitas served more than 10 years in village administration for towns throughout the Chicago area. He led several U.S.-sponsored economic redevelopment and government reform projects in Serbia from 2000 to 2007.

Vitas said he plans to work with the village board and Branding to find his successor as part of a smooth transition before he leaves Dec. 31.