Mundelein eliminates village engineer post, will save money
Longtime Mundelein Public Works and Engineering Director Adam Boeche has a new title and some new responsibilities.
The village board on Monday voted to combine the public works director's job with the village engineer's job, so Boeche will have both titles.
The engineer's position is being eliminated as a solo job because it's a remnant of an old organizational structure when the public works and engineering staffs operated separately and had different directors, Village Administrator John Lobaito said.
That changed in 2011 when, during cutbacks prompted by the Great Recession, the two departments were combined, Lobaito said.
"Until this month, the village engineer reported to the director of public works and engineering," Lobaito said. "Now the two positions will be one."
Bill Emmerich had served as village engineer since 2002. Emmerich resigned this month because his position was being eliminated, Lobaito said.
"The elimination of his position was not performance related, but instead related to our continuous search for delivering high-quality services to the community at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer," Lobaito said.
Boeche has led the public works and engineering staff since 2011. He currently earns a $162,000 annual salary plus benefits valued at about $35,000, officials said.
Emmerich collected a $142,000 annual salary plus benefits worth about $35,000.
Officials do not yet know if Boeche's added responsibilities and title will result in a pay raise for him.
Some tasks will be farmed out as needed to an outside engineering firm, Gewalt Hamilton Associates of Vernon Hills, Lobaito said. The board approved a contract for general engineering services with the firm later Monday night.
Officials anticipate the change will save the village between $40,000 and $50,000 annually, Lobaito said.