Board approves president’s pension reappointment and debates treasurer contract and vendor arrangement

The Campton Hills Village Board on May 12 handled personnel items and a contested discussion about the scope and timing of a Lauterbach & Eamon contract and whether an outside contractor should be separately contracted as village treasurer.

Public comment and treasurer concerns: Patsy Smith, the village treasurer, told the board the payroll warrant had blank lines for health, vision and dental because a report failed to pull, warned a mistaken deposit had required an internal correcting transfer to the drug forfeiture account, and urged the board to adopt a retroactive budget amendment before the audit. Smith also said she had not received the annual police pension fund report required for municipalities with Article 3 police pension funds and said the village should follow state statute on that filing. "By law, I'm required to give... a police pension fund report," Smith said.

Debate about appointment and contract timing: Trustee Therese pressed the board to address a signature on the Lauterbach & Eamon contract that she says occurred after the board had tabled the matter on Feb. 17; she urged that the board renegotiate terms and create a separate agreement for the individual (referred to as Bob) who would serve as treasurer, outlining duties and compensation as in previous contractor arrangements. "The document was signed after we had agreed to table it," Therese said, arguing that the signature removed authority from the board to require a formal renegotiation.

Counsel's clarification: Village counsel Carmen responded that the treasurer's appointment and the vendor contract can be decoupled, that the treasurer position carries specific statutory duties and that in many smaller communities an appointed treasurer reviews work performed by a vendor. Counsel said the way the vendor arrangement was presented, "the company is being paid, at a fixed rate per month. The treasurer does not need to be compensated." Counsel added the board must ensure separation of duties and compliance with village code and statute.

Votes and outcome: The board voted to advise and consent to the president's reappointment of William (Bill) Mayer to the police pension fund (term to expire May 12, 2028) and later approved the consent agenda item that included the Lauterbach & Eamon arrangement; roll calls recorded support from a majority, with Trustee Hassenberger voting no and Trustee Mallette abstaining on the consent-item vote. Despite the objections and requests for a separate contract for the individual treasurer, trustees who supported the consent item said the appointment could proceed while staff completes the separate contract language and clarifications.

What comes next: Trustees asked staff to prepare clearer language and, where appropriate, a separate contractor agreement that defines compensation, duties and any supervisory arrangements affecting the treasurer or vendor-provided staff. Patsy Smith urged the board to ensure statutory reporting obligations are met before the audit.