Village Could Face Challenges Filling Two Top Spots

Lake Zurich trustees recently learned they could face serious challenges in the search to fill vacancies left by former and . 

Both men resigned their posts effective Dec. 31.

Executive search firm President Heidi Voorhees, who assisted in finding Vitas to fill the administrator role in 2007, made a presentation to the board Tuesday and explained what hurdles it may experience as the search unfolds.

“From the time the right candidate is located until they are on board, it could take six months. It takes about 90 days for the recruitment and selection process, and once picked, working individuals normally have to give a 30- to 60-day notice,” Voorhees said.

Additional challenges could include a residency requirement, which has been a sticking point in past administrator searches and was instituted in the search that ended in Vitas being hired.

As part of his contract, he was obligated to move to Lake Zurich within a year of his hire date, which he did.

“In the past, I know the board felt strongly about the residency requirement, but I suggest being flexible on that; it is hard to sell a house in this economy, making it difficult to relocate,” Voorhees said.

At least two officials agree a fresh perspective needs to be considered in regard to residency.

“Though I think it’s a great idea to have high-ranking village officials living in the village, I think we need to not demand that considering today’s market,” said Mayor Suzanne Branding.

“I’m all for it. When you take a look at our neighbors such as Deer Park, Hawthorn Woods and Kildeer, none of their administrators live in the villages. I have no problems with lifting that restriction to find the right candidate,” said Trustee Tom Poynton.

An additional hurdle, Voorhees said, is considering candidates who have high school children and aren’t immediately willing to relocate until their kids are in college.

A majority of the board also potentially could change due to five terms expiring in 2013, which Voorhees highlighted as something to which candidates could be averse.

The terms of Trustees Jeff Halen, Rich Sustich and Jonathan Sprawka will expire in April 2013. In addition, the seat Trustee Terry Mastandrea was appointed to fill when he replaced former Trustee Mark Ernst also will be on the ballot.

Mayor Suzanne Branding’s term also expires in 2013.

“With that potential turnover, a candidate could conceivably have five different bosses, and that is a lot to ask of someone who is relocating,” Voorhees said.

In addition, board members were advised that not only would they be interviewing a candidate, but candidates would be interviewing the board, too. Voorhees said potential candidates likely watch board meetings live or online to determine if they could be successful, based on the village board dynamic.

“If the board is viewed as political or if there are problems in the community, candidates will have to decide if they are able to make a difference in this job,” Voorhees said.

Suggestions included having Assistant Village Administrator Roy Witherow, who is unofficially acting as village administrator, formally handle the role during the duration of the recruitment process.

Branding said that issue likely would come before the board for consideration in the near future.

Voorhees said the village could bring in a contract professional to handle special projects to assist Witherow during the transition.

Voorhees also recommended the village consider what other communities are offering for compensation with other open administrator positions. Highland Park, for example, is offering a $170,000 administrator salary, while Morton Grove is offering $145,000 per year for its open administrator spot.

Filling the finance director vacancy could be even more tenuous in today’s market.

“Without question, finance directors are the most difficult recruitment,” Voorhees said.

Voorhees explained that due to an “aging out” qualified candidate pool — and fewer qualified applicants entering the profession — the choices are much more limited.

Options the board has include relaxing the requirement that a finance director be a certified public accountant. Instead, the board might consider hiring a “policy-oriented” director and contracting out the CPA function.

Other communities were cited as having a generalist with a strong aptitude for numbers, while they hire a part-time accountant to come in and handle day-to-day journal entries to prepare for audit, Voorhees said.

Branding said a request for qualifications already has been sent out for both open positions, and the village has received a dozen responses for the administrator position and a handful for finance director.

“We will be accepting resumes until the end of January, and if we don’t find what we are looking for, we may turn to an executive search firm for assistance,” Branding said. “The most urgent issue in hiring the right individuals is the upcoming budget, which needs to be approved by April 30.”