Manteno board approves interim employee contracts and adopts FY2025‑26 budget after split votes

The Village Board of Manteno on April 21 voted to approve one‑year, at‑will employment contracts for Village Administrator Chris LaRocque, Public Works Superintendent Jim Hanley and Police Chief Alan Swinford, and adopted an ordinance approving the village’s FY2025–26 budget and a related year‑end reallocation.

The votes followed extended public comment and discussion among trustees about whether newly sworn officials — sworn in at the start of the meeting — should be given more time to review personnel agreements. Trustee Dawn Geske, who presented the personnel motions, said the contracts were intended to protect village operations while the new mayor makes appointments: "This is not to steal an appointment away from the mayor; this is simply to provide some protection for our employees who will be continuing to do the work until appointments by the mayor are made," Geske said.

Members who pressed for delay said they needed time to review the packet that had arrived shortly before the meeting. Newly sworn Mayor Annette Lamour said she had "only been your mayor now for what? An hour and a half," and asked for professional courtesy and time to review staffing decisions before ratification.

After procedural exchanges and calls to table the motions, the board voted on the individual employment agreements. The public works and police chief contracts were approved by roll call with the following recorded votes in the transcript: Jim Hanley (superintendent of public works) — Boudreau: yes; Crockett: yes; Getzke/Geske: yes; Zimbelman: yes; Barry: no; Vaughn: no (recorded votes matched the roll call in the transcript). The agreement for Chief Swinford was recorded with Boudreau: yes; Crockett: yes; Getzke/Geske: yes; Zimbelman: yes; Vaughn: no (other votes were not read aloud in the excerpt). The village administrator contract was also approved during the same sequence; the roll call in the transcript shows mixed votes and subsequent approval.

The board additionally approved Ordinance 20426, a year‑end funds reallocation, and Ordinance 20427, the fiscal year 2025–26 budget. Finance reports and payment of bills in the amount of $72,222.97 (excluding TIF) were also included on the consent agenda and approved by omnibus vote.

Trustees who favored immediate approval said leaving key administrators without contracts risked losing personnel and interrupting services. Trustee Mike Berry noted that combining the administrator and interim building‑inspector roles saved the village on hiring costs, an argument used by other supporters to justify approving the agreements before new appointments were finalized.

Opponents emphasized transparency and the pace of decision‑making. Trustee Peggy Vaughn and other newly sworn trustees said they wanted reasonable time to review contract language and job scopes before casting votes.

No amendments to the approved contracts were recorded in the meeting. The contracts adopted were described in the meeting as one‑year, at‑will agreements; the village attorney clarified that the board and mayor retain appointment and removal authority under village rules.

Votes at a glance

- Employment agreement — Chris LaRocque, Village Administrator: motion moved/seconded, approved by roll call (recorded roll calls in transcript show mixed votes; final motion passed). - Employment agreement — Jim Hanley, Superintendent of Public Works: approved by roll call (Boudreau: yes; Crockett: yes; Getzke/Geske: yes; Zimbelman: yes; Barry: no; Vaughn: no). - Employment agreement — Alan Swinford, Chief of Police: approved by roll call (Boudreau: yes; Crockett: yes; Getzke/Geske: yes; Zimbelman: yes; Vaughn: no). - Ordinance 20426 (year‑end fund reallocation): approved as part of consent/omnibus. - Ordinance 20427 (FY2025–26 budget): approved as part of consent/omnibus. - Payment of bills: approved ($72,222.97, excludes TIF bills).

What it means

Board supporters said the agreements maintain continuity in daily operations and safeguard experienced staff while the mayor and trustees complete appointment work. Trustees who wanted to delay said that newly sworn members should be given time to review personnel files and contract details before deciding. No formal change to the mayor’s appointment authority was taken during the meeting.

Next steps and follow up

Mayor Lamour and individual trustees said they would schedule follow‑up conversations with the three department heads to review job scopes, and the mayor will make appointments or ratifications as provided under village code. The village clerk and administrator will complete the paperwork and signatures for the approved agreements and the budget ordinances.