By Stephanie Irvine
At the July 24 Peotone Board of Trustees meeting, Nick Palmer was voted to be the new village administrator. The former Peotone administrator, Aimee Ingalls, resigned from her position with a last day of July 19. She served the village for five years.
The motion to authorize a contract with Palmer beginning August 1, pending a successful background check, was made by Trustee Jackie Richards and seconded by Trustee Julie Sluis. Trustee Todd Sandberg was the lone vote opposing Palmer’s contract. Trustee Shelley Marevka was absent from the meeting.
“After cutting budgets in committees, I think Mr. Palmer’s contract is too rich for Peotone. That’s why I voted no. I sincerely hope he does great things,” Trustee Sandberg explained of his vote in opposition.
Previous board discussions made note of the ability to only offer a one-year contract and mulled over possibilities of conducting a search through GovTemps or posting the position online through various job boards, including the Illinois Municipal League. The time constraint and the ability to find qualified candidates were concerns raised among board members.
As village administrator, Palmer will earn a $125,000 annual salary. Per his contract, Palmer also will receive 10 vacation days, health insurance, and other full-time benefits entitled to village employees, contributions to the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, be provided a computer and cell phone, as well as a $350 monthly vehicle stipend in lieu of a village vehicle.
Village administrator positions mirror the mayoral or village president’s term according to municipal code. As a result of the code and time remaining before the next election, Palmer’s contract will expire July 31, 2025.
Village President Peter March and Trustees Marevka, Richards, and Strba are up for reelection in 2025. The remaining trustees are up for reelection in 2027.
In order for Palmer to continue his position following the contract’s current expiration, whoever is elected village president in the next election would need to reappoint Palmer, with approval of the board.
The contract also acknowledged that Palmer, of Bolingbrook, meets the residency requirement outlined in the village’s personnel policy. The residency requirement dictates all regular, full-time employees must live within a 35-mile radius of the Village of Peotone.
Palmer’s salary reflects a slight increase of $12,460 more than what Ingalls made as administrator; her salary was $112,540 according to village records.
“I’m thankful to the mayor and trustees for this opportunity to work in Peotone,” Palmer said in a statement. “I’m also very excited to get to know the residents and business owners. There are many great things ahead, and I’m eager to get started.”
Palmer’s resume includes a Master’s in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University in the same discipline. Palmer worked as the Chief of Staff for the Will County Board following his work as Chief of Staff for the late Will County Executive Larry Walsh.
Most recently, Palmer worked as the Village Administrator for Manhattan. His Manhattan contract provided a salary of $150,000, with four weeks of vacation, along with health insurance and other fringe benefits he will receive in Peotone, with the exception of the vehicle stipend.
Following a resignation agreement made May 7, Palmer’s Manhattan administrator contract was terminated a year and a half early on June 7. The attorney-reviewed resignation agreement barred both parties from speaking negatively about the separation, while also waiving claims or liability for both parties from the split. Due to the agreement, reasons for the separation were unclear.
In other news, village officials are working toward establishing a Peotone Historical Overlay District, which would be added to the village code. The district would cover from Crawford Street to Corning Avenue and from Third to West Streets.
Its goal is to “establish and maintain a high visual quality of appearance for the Peotone Overlay District.”
Ultimately, the establishment district will make changes to things like setbacks, which the Historical Overlay District would eliminate. The language in the draft suggests the district would encourage the preservation of historically significant buildings and set standards for upkeep and aesthetics.
Village President Peter March noted they would have the village lawyer review the plans, draft an official version, and then present the final version to the Planning and Zoning Commission for recommendation to the village board. The village board would then vote to accept or deny the final version.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
They better never put an HOA over my house. “Historical District” my foot, yet more Peotone trying to force residents to do their bidding or face more fines.