Longtime village administrator John Gross to retire; council weighs interim appointment of utility superintendent

Village Administrator John Gross submitted his resignation effective July 2025, telling council he will step down after more than 50 years with the village. Council members discussed options for succession planning, including appointing the existing utility plant superintendent as interim village administrator and using village engineer services for technical oversight.

Gross’s written resignation says it has been his "privilege and honor to work at the village over the past 50 plus years" and that his resignation is effective July 2025. "I hereby submit my resignation as village administrator effective July 2025," Gross wrote in the letter read at the meeting.

Council and staff discussed appointing the utility plant superintendent to combine that role with village administrator responsibilities on an interim basis. The meeting noted that «80% of village administrator work is utility related» and that the superintendent already attends meetings and is familiar with operations. Council asked whether the superintendent could maintain required operator certifications while assuming administrator duties, and whether the superintendent would need a pay adjustment. The group discussed appointing an interim administrator through December, giving time to advertise and, if necessary, run a hiring process.

Staff said the village would lean more on the village engineer for technical reviews and that engineering costs could rise temporarily while the administrator role is being filled. No formal appointment was made at the committee meeting; council members signaled support for an interim appointment and for a six-month interim period with a salary adjustment if the appointee accepts.