Trustees approve reappointment of eligibility and zoning officer amid disagreement over placement fee

Trustees amended and approved a motion advising and consenting to the village president’s reappointment of James (Jim) Brown as the village’s eligibility and zoning officer for a term to expire April 30, 2027, but they added direction that the village will not pay an outside placement or buyout fee to the staffing firm MGT as part of this action.

Trustees debated whether a buyout or placement fee was contractually required. One trustee said the village has long employed Jim and questioned whether the staffing firm was owed additional compensation; trustees discussed typical placement buyout practice (the range cited during discussion was roughly two weeks of salary under standard MGT terms) and asked staff to confirm the exact contractual obligation with MGT before taking further steps.

The motion to amend the appointment — to advise and consent while excluding payment to MGT — passed by roll call. Trustees followed earlier discussion on financial items by approving Warrant 27‑04 as amended after removing invoice 1787 (a membership charge) from the warrant.

Why it matters: the appointment places the village’s zoning and eligibility responsibilities with a named official through 2027, while the board’s explicit refusal to pay the placement fee (absent further confirmation) preserves the village’s negotiating position and limits an immediate unbudgeted outlay. Staff said they will confirm the buyout calculation and report back if MGT seeks payment.