Veteran Libertyville staffer named village administrator
Veteran Libertyville staffer and interim Village Administrator Kelly Amidei has been named to the post full time.
The pending hiring was announced Monday in a news release. An employment agreement will be authorized by the village board at its regular meeting beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, and Amidei will be sworn in.
Amidei has served 15 years with the village starting as deputy village administrator. She has been running day-to-day village business since March 13 when she replaced Chris Clark who resigned after 15 months for unspecified reasons.
Clark had been on paid administrative leave for two weeks before Amidei was designated as interim until a full-time administrator was chosen. While the parting with Clark was said to be mutual, no details of the circumstances leading to the decision on either side were released.
The Clark experience did not sit well with elected leaders who opted to stay in-house for his replacement.
"After what happened with the last one, we decided to stay inside," Mayor Terry Weppler said.
"The board's belief was any one of our department heads could fill the role," he added. "We think Kelly's done an excellent job."
Clark had been selected to replace Kevin Bowens, who retired after 25 years as only the second village administrator since the position was established 51 years earlier. Amidei was one of two department heads who applied.
Amidei said she is looking forward to working with a supportive mayor, village board and "great" department heads and employees.
A priority will be hire a deputy village administrator and continue to work on village board goals and initiatives, which include comprehensive parks, stormwater and long-range plans, she said.
"A comprehensive capital improvement plan will be a goal as we get ready to plan the 2019/2020 budget," she said. "I am excited for the new challenge and responsibility."