Wauconda hires first full-time finance director since 2013
For the first time in nearly seven years, Wauconda has a full-time finance director.
The village board on Tuesday hired Thomas Lyons for the job. Lyons had been serving in the role part time through a contract with Lauterbach and Amen, a Warrenville accounting firm.
"I have enjoyed working with the village over the past two years," Lyons said Wednesday. "I appreciate and look forward to the opportunity to continue serving the village and its residents on a full-time basis."
Lyons will collect a $125,000 annual salary, plus health insurance, pension contributions and other benefits. Wauconda's agreement with Lauterbach and Amen paid the firm $158,160 a year.
"Overall the total cost is expected to be a wash with what we are currently paying," Village Administrator Kevin Timony said. "The added benefit for the village is that for about the same annual cost we will have a full-time finance director versus a part-time (employee)."
A municipal finance director oversees payroll, purchases, budget preparation and other fiscal matters.
Wauconda hasn't had a full-time director since June 2013, when Zaida Torres left village hall and never returned after a dispute with then-Mayor Frank Bart.
Lauterbach and Amen has handled the town's financial duties since 2017. Officials were happy with the company's work but realized the town can use a full-time director who "can be here daily instead of only a couple of days per week," Mayor Lincoln Knight said.
Because of his experience in Wauconda, Lyons already understands the village's financial picture "and where we are heading down the road," Knight said.
Lyons' full-time employment is expected to start March 5.
Trustee Chuck Black expects the change to improve efficiency at village hall.
"Instead of others working to fill a void, they can all focus on their own projects," Black said.