Lake in the Hills consolidates services, cuts staffing costs

Lake in the Hills is consolidating and restructuring its community development and parks and recreation departments, which is expected to save the village $175,000.

Fred Mullard, former public works director, oversees both departments as the new community services director. Daniel Kaup is public works director after being promoted from his deputy role.

The village board approved the reorganization last week.

Since last year the village has lost the community development director, a parks and recreation supervisor and a public works secretary. Two of the positions are being absorbed through attrition.

"A lot of things are not necessarily going to change," said Mullard, adding staff members of both departments who interact with the public remain the same.

Community development handles the safety of properties, building inspections, and zoning issues. As part of the restructuring, economic development no longer will be under the purview of Mullard's new department.

The biggest change residents might notice is the creation of a centralized customer service division at village hall to answer questions and provide services related to community development, parks and recreation, and finance under one roof, Mullard said.

"Right now, we have three separate counters trying to get your business done," Mullard said. "The goal is one-stop shopping."

The new customer service division will be fully operational once training is complete. It will free up some employees who used to man the separate desks for other tasks, Mullard said.

Mullard said he will get a consultant to help with some planning functions in community development while he manages his new role.

"We're looking for efficiencies and looking for better ways to serve the residents," Mullard said. "Parks and recreation and community development kind of have a similar overall goal ... trying to create a community that is pleasing to live and work in."