Torres considered as full-time administrator in Wauconda

A familiar name is expected to be named village administrator in Wauconda.

The village board in a special meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday is scheduled to vote on the appointment of Zaida Torres, the village’s finance director, as village administrator. The meeting is at the village hall, 101 N. Main St.

Torres has been serving as interim administrator the past few months as the replacement for David Geary, who resigned in August for a new job as business manager with the Wauconda Fire Protection District.

Mayor Mark Knigge said the village didn’t advertise the position but interviewed several candidates gleaned from local references and other sources. The village is fortunate to have a someone in house with Torres’ talents, he added.

“She’s the finance director and will continue holding that spot,” Knigge said. “Zaida has a unique perspective on the village. She’s worked in the finance department nine years now.”

A new accountant will be hired and more of the finance department workload will be shared, he added.

If her promotion is approved, Torres’ current $110,000 salary will rise to $125,000. Knigge said she will not receive a contract, but that situation will be revisited in May after the spring elections.

A full-time administrator is needed now as the village is dealing with several big issues, including the upcoming budget, development opportunities and the continued search for a source of Lake Michigan water, Knigge said. A resolution of the village’s intent to work with the Central Lake County Joint Action Water Agency is on Tuesday’s special meeting agenda.

“Whatever source we decide to go with, we need somebody to help in negotiations,” Knigge said.

Geary was named village administrator in March 2011, replacing longtime administrator Dan Quick, who was asked to retire after 29 years with the village in various capacities, including eight years as village administrator.