University Park trustees confirm LaRhonda Grimes as village collector after debate over resume distribution

The University Park Board of Trustees voted to confirm LaRhonda Grimes as the village collector after trustees debated whether her resume had been provided in advance.

Trustees moved the appointment at the start of the meeting and a motion by a trustee to table the appointment until a resume was distributed was considered. After debate, the motion to table failed and the board proceeded to a roll-call vote on the appointment. The clerk recorded votes showing three trustees voting in favor, one voting no and two abstaining; the chair declared the motion carried and the appointment approved.

Grimes was sworn in at the meeting. Speaking after taking the oath, LaRhonda Grimes said she was grateful for the opportunity and "look[ed] forward to serving the village of University Park" and working with residents and trustees.

Several trustees had pressed for transparency before the vote. One trustee said the board had asked for a resume at a prior meeting and "did not get that resume," and urged that trustees and the public be given candidate qualifications before appointments. That trustee said the issue was not personal but one of "transparency" and equal information for all trustees.

The chair said the appointee would be sworn in and that staff would make the resume available. The board did not take additional employment-related actions at the meeting beyond the swearing-in.

The appointment and swearing-in closed the agenda item; the board moved on to other business.