Peotone Village Administrator Nick Palmer’s contract was extended at the July 14 board meeting.
Palmer was former Mayor Peter March’s pick to fill the vacancy former Administrator Aimee Ingalls left last July. Palmer previously served as Manhattan’s Village Administrator for a year and at Will County as the chief of staff for four years. He also had years of service at the county level as the Will County Executive’s Chief of Staff.
Palmer came to the village with a cost increase over the previous administrator, at a salary of $125,000, with a $4,200 vehicle allowance since Palmer lives in Bolingbrook. Palmer’s total was $129,200 before receiving a 3% increase in January of 2025, with his total now being $132,950. Palmer’s new contract includes another increase in both base salary and vehicle allowance, bringing his new total to $150,200. Palmer’s contract also includes family insurance at cost to the village of $29,844, making his total benefit package $180,044, along with four weeks of vacation.
Palmer’s contract is one of the highest in this area compared to similar villages in population and revenue. He is also the highest paid employee of the village.
With salaries quickly approaching more than the 40% of budgeted revenue for the year, as projected revenue is $4,149,976, Palmer himself shared there have been expense reductions to offset the costs of his contract, such as the elimination of the Building & Zoning Coordinator position with the resignation of Henry Walters shortly after Palmer joined the village. Palmer also shared that he has found cost savings on copier machines, the phone system, reductions in over budgeted line items for consultants, and better use of the finance consultant. Palmer also shared all costs must be approved by the village board.
The decision was not unanimous. Both Trustees Todd Sandberg and Nick Strba voted no. Sandberg voted no on Palmer’s contract last year, as well.
Some consultants are used though, even with Palmer’s expertise. Economic Development Group fees totaled $5,064 for the first half of the month, and Palmer was granted approval to use a Robinson Engineering consultant for Building and Zoning information at the Administrative Oversight Committee meeting just before the village board meeting.
Board Basics
The motor fuel tax resurfacing project for paving of East Crawford, from Rt. 50 to the railroad tracks, was approved for $176,934.25 to Iroquois Paving Corporation.
The letter of credit reduction item #4 also unanimously was approved. The letter of credit is like a to-do list for the Travel Center, and it’s reduced each time items are completed from the list.
Finance Consultant/Treasurer Anne Marie Mampe’s contract was extended, as well. Mampe’s contract is through MGT Impact Solutions at a slight increase from $130.50 to $134.85 per hour. Mampe averages 20-30 hours per week, and the village does not pay insurance for her.
Permits for the Knights of Columbia Tootsie Roll Drive and the Chamber of Commerce’s Sip n’ Stroll also were approved, along with a block party request on North Street.
Mayor Chris Vieaux applauded finance and village employees on the awarding of the Government and Finance Officers Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its FY 2026 budget. It’s the fourth straight year the village has received the award.
Trustee Todd Sandberg is the husband of Editor Andrea Arens. Any coverage of his activity is not an endorsement of such.