Galesburg council appoints Jamie Thoms as treasurer on 90-day probation in 4–3 vote

The City of Galesburg council voted 4–3 on May 5 to appoint Jamie Thoms as city treasurer on a 90-day probationary basis with a starting salary of $50,000. The motion, advanced by Councilmember Ryan Harnden, carried with votes from Anthony Tipken, Harnden, Stanley Chovanec and Mayor Linda Marble; Glen Hawes, Roger Frazee and Carol Wortinger voted no.

The hiring followed a packet submission that included Thoms’ resume and letters of recommendation from DPW Supervisor Josh Ranes and Building Official Fritz Pins. Harnden said the Personnel Committee recommended appointing Thoms for 90 days and noted that tax season and staffing needs influenced the timing. “She needs very little direction,” Clerk Lisa McNees said in support, describing her work over the past year.

Opponents pressed for the position to be publicly posted and questioned whether the treasurer could simultaneously perform code-enforcement duties. Councilmember Glen Hawes pointed to a potential legal conflict under Public Act 566, saying the city must confirm whether combining duties is permissible before having Thoms act as a code enforcement officer. Mayor Marble and others said they would consult the city attorney to clarify that issue.

The council’s action explicitly left open the legal question of dual duties: the appointment authorizes Thoms to serve as treasurer on the stated probationary terms, and council asked staff to confirm with the attorney whether she may also perform code-enforcement functions. The motion recorded the starting salary but did not include any amendments or additional conditions beyond the 90-day probation.